OXFORD – Elmer (Barney) Gere of Oxford passed away peacefully at the New York State Veterans’ Home in Oxford on Thursday, July 3, 2008.
Born in Oxford June 26, 1918, Barney was the son of Horace and Olive (Vincent) Gere. His many careers in Oxford included policeman, taxi driver and fireman as well as owning and operating his own trucking and ice businesses, and working for Briggs Lumber Co. Barney was a founding member of the Oxford Emergency Squad. Barney served in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1945, serving in the European Theater of Operations as a truck driver with the First Armored Division.
Barney married Rene Robinson in 1956 and soon after moved to Texas. While residing in Texas Barney worked at the Veterans Adminstration Hospital in Kerrville as a nursing assistant. On Jan. 27, 1975 in Fredricksburg, Texas, he married Bernice Tracy-Champlin, who survives.
After his retirement he mowed lawns and played Santa at the Riverhill Mall. He also enjoyed caning chairs for the public from his home.
Also surviving are Barney’s step-children, Colleen and Clifford Ackley of Mesa, Ariz., Craig and Maryann Champlin of Oxford, James and Maryann Champlin of Oxford, Annette and Jeff Lawrence of Grover Beach, Calif., Ronald and Felicia Neigut of Blanco, Texas, and Barry and Sherri Neigut of El Cajon, Calif. He was predeceased by his stepson Wesley Neigut. Barney is also survived by his grandchildren Susan, Brian and Robin Neigut, Theresa Phinney, Courtney Rathell, Caitlin Taylor, Nicole Rossley, Jessie, Jeffrey and Craig Champlin and Alexis, Morgan and Lillian Lawrence, as well as seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his grandchildren Aaron Lawrence and Stephen Neigut.
A memorial service for Barney was held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Oxford, with Rev. Ralph Osborne, rector, officiating. Burial with military honors followed in Riverview Cemetery.
Contributions in Barney’s memory may be made to the Oxford Emergency Squad.
The arrangements are entrusted to the Behe Funeral Home.