Raymond Thomas Barry, Jr.

Raymond T. Barry, age 92, of Alexandria, MN, formerly of Clark, SD, died on Saturday, July 10, 2021, at his residence in Nelson Gables in Alexandria, surrounded by family and under the care of Knute Nelson Hospice. A private family graveside service will be held at Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery in Glenwood, with interment to follow. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.

Raymond Thomas Barry, Jr., son of Raymond Thomas and Martha Viola (Timm) Barry, was born April 19, 1929, in Waseca, MN. Ray grew up in Waseca on Clear Lake, along with his two older brothers, Robert and Hartley. He was baptized and confirmed at Calvary Episcopal Church and a 1947 graduate of Waseca High School. Ray attended Mankato State University for three years before enlisting in the United States Air Force, where he served for four years, attaining the rank of Airman First Class, before his honorable discharge in 1954. 

In 1953, Ray met Joann Charbonneau at a YMCA dance in Minneapolis. Joann was working as a secretary and Ray was in the Air Force, stationed in Minneapolis. The two were united in marriage on May 10, 1953, at Glenwood Lutheran Church. They first made their home in Minneapolis before moving to Bloomington in 1960. Their marriage was blessed with two talented children, a daughter, Donnarae, and a son, Thomas. Sadly, Donnarae died from cancer in 2019, just weeks before her 65th birthday and Thomas was just 35 years old when he was tragically killed in an explosion at his employer’s manufacturing company near Ione, California. Donnarae was introduced to ice skating by Ray at the age of 6 and fell in love with the sport. Figure skating became her passion. She performed with the Ice Follies after high school and went on to teach figure skating and coach competitive skating in California. Thomas was equally as gifted and he too moved to California to pursue his career. He loved pyrotechnics and found work there which provided him the opportunity to be involved with exciting projects like the Star Wars movies and large firework displays in the San Francisco area.

Ray was employed as a production associate and inspector at Thermo King in Bloomington for 40 years. During this time he was a member of the Steelworkers Union. After his retirement, he and Joann moved to Clark, SD, where they made many friends and enjoyed their retirement years. In May of 2021, they moved to Ridgewood Villa in Joann’s hometown of Glenwood, MN, to be near family. Soon thereafter, they realized that they needed additional assisted living services and made the move to Nelson Gables in Alexandria.

Ray was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt and fish and over the course of his life had many beloved hunting dogs who were treasured companions. He also enjoyed golf, photography and camping. He and Joann spent many years traveling around the U.S. in their RV, sightseeing and escaping the cold Minnesota winters.

Having lived a rich, full life, and sharing 68 years of marriage with Joann, Ray died on the morning of Saturday, July 10, 2021, with Joann by his side, and under the care of Knute Nelson Hospice.

Survivors include his wife, Joann Barry of Alexandria; three grandchildren, Michael Tulsky, Tyler (Christine) Tulsky, and Anne (Steven) Barry Yost; two great-grandchildren, Joselyn Barry and Twyla Barry Yost; son-in-law, Matthew Tulsky of California; along with other relatives and many friends.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Thomas Barry; his daughter, Donnarae Barry Tulsky; and his brothers, Robert LeRoy Barry and Donald Hartley Barry.

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