RAYFORD BARGER

Funeral services for Rayford Barger, 94, were held on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Teague Church of Christ. Brother Benjamin Neely officiated. Interment followed at Union Cemetery near Freestone with an Honor Guard provided by the U. S. Army.

Visitation was held the previous Friday, Jan. 17 with the family present at Bowers Funeral Home in Teague.

Mr. Barger passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at Sodalis Waco Memory Care in Waco.

He was born in the Cedar Creek Community near Freestone on August 12, 1925. Rayford attended the Freestone School and graduated from Teague High School with the class of 1942. Mr. Barger served in the U. S. Army during World War II from August 30, 1944 to April 26, 1946. He was a member of the 407th Infantry, Company B, and participated in combat in the European Theatre where he was wounded in battle. Mr. Barger received the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon with two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. He married Marie Lamberth on December 23, 1944, and shared over seventy-five years together. After his war service, he returned to Teague and went to work for McSpadden Grocery for seven years. In 1955, he began his career with First National Bank in Teague. Mr. Barger was well known in the area as a banker and retired as vice president of Citizens National Bank in 1990. During his career, he was active in numerous civic organizations including Teague Chamber of Commerce and the Teague Rotary Club. He also raised cattle on his ranch in Donie for many years. After his retirement, he and Marie were inseparable and enjoyed numerous camping trips with friends, trips to Branson and other locations. Mr. Barger was a longtime and faithful member of the Teague Church of Christ and served as Elder for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Marie Barger; three children, Karen Steele and husband Frank, Randy Barger and wife Gloria, and Annette Irvin and husband Neal all of Teague; nine grandchildren, Audry Steele and Charles di Piazza, Emily Steele, Wyatt Steele and wife Emily, Carla Gallegos and husband David, David Soehnge and wife Misty, Adam Soehnge and wife Robyn, Katie Walker and husband Cole, Philip Irvin and wife Megan, and Andrew Irvin and wife Brittany; thirteen great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Velmarine Garrett, Wynema Hamilton and husband Bruce, and Glenda Tucker; one brother, Lesslie Barger and wife Patsy; one sister-in-law, Louise Barger; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Mr. Barger was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Edgar and Nettie Christian Barger; infant daughter, Sandra Lynn Barger; and three brothers, Bill (Cleo) Barger, Billy Joe Barger, and Jerry Barger.

The family wishes to express thanks to Vee Grant and team of home caregivers, Judy Angel, Pam McCann, Reliant at Home Hospice (formerly Virginia’s Hospice), Sodalis Waco Memory Care, and their Teague Church of Christ family for all the help in giving care to Mr. Barger. It was greatly appreciated.

The family requests memorials be made to the Teague Church of Christ, P.O. Box 207, Teague, Texas 75860.

Please visit our website at www.bowersfuneralhome.netto sign the memorial guestbook or to leave a message for the family.

Bowers Funeral Home

900 U.S. Hwy 84 West

Teague, Texas 75860

254-739-2511