Sheldon Barney

Sheldon Barney Green River - Sheldon Barney of Green River died March 12th at the age of 83 at his home from a 3 year battle with lung Cancer. He was born on June 15, 1927 in Monroe, Utah, the son of Annie and Ray Barney. He joined the Navy and served on the USS President Jackson during World War II. He returned to Monroe and married Fern Hansen. They moved to Green River Wyoming in 1955 and raised five sons. Mr. Barney became employed at Mountain Fuel Supply Company in 1956 as a Line Rider, checking for gas leaks on horseback along the pipeline. He retired from Questar Pipeline in 1991, after 35 years of service. His interests were family get-togethers and taking his grandchildren on adventures, the outdoors, bicycling, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, hunting, hiking, and writing about his life experiences. After he retired he established a grove of trees off I-80 and planted saplings along the Green River. For this he was referred to as "the Phantom Tree Planter." He received several awards for his trees from Trout Unlimited, SWEDA, Sweetwater County Commissioners, the City of Green River, and was the recipient of the Lady Bird Johnson Award for Highway Beautification in April, 2000. Survivors include his wife Fern of 60 years of Green River; sons John and wife Donna Barney of Simi Valley, CA, Roy Barney and wife Chris Thomas of Pinedale, Rex Barney and wife Kathy of Rigby, ID, Karl Barney and wife Beth Whitman of Rock Springs, WY, and Ted Barney and former wife Marcie of Green River, WY and Denver, CO; grandchildren Nicole Barney of Reno, NV, Judson Barney and wife Tanya of Rock Springs, Greer Barney of Rock Springs, Bryan Barney and Tanya Rockwell of Green River, Shaun Barney of Salt Lake City, Jonathon Barney of Virginia Beach, VA, and Kayla Copenbarger and husband David of Torrington, WY; great-grandchildren Mariah, Chloe, Madison, Taylor, Marissa, Gabriel, Peregrin and Jaydin; brother Clee Barney and wife Diana of Annabella, UT; sister Wyonna Cutler of Phoenix, MD; sister-in-law's Laree Reedy, Peggy Hardy , and Norma Johnson of Salt Lake City; brother- in- laws Scott Hansen and wife Lynne, and Stan Hansen of Rigby, ID; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Wendell, and other family members including nephews, sister- in- laws, and brother- in-laws. Cremation has taken place at Fox Crematory, Rock Springs. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 19, 2011 at the LDS Stake Center, 120 Shoshone, Green River.