Joseph Lawrence Barela

Joseph Lawrence Barela passed away peacefully on Monday, February 7, 2022, in Peoria, Arizona, after a short illness. Dad joins the souls of his beloved wife and eternal soul mate, Diane, his sister, Julia Irene Barela Velasquez, brothers Gerardo “Jerry” Benito and George Louis Barela, who preceded him in death.

Joe was the hard-working, devoted, and selfless father to daughters, Julia Barela Mills of Glendale, AZ and Sabrina Barela-Kearney (Dan) of Seattle, WA. He also is survived by his brother, Donald, and sister-in-law Rachel (Jerry) Barela, both of Fresno, his brother-in-law Frederick Hanson of Peoria, AZ, along with many cousins, nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces from around the country.

Dad was born on October 22, 1942, in Fresno, California, to the late Joseph Lopez and Lucy Hernandez Barela. He graduated from Edison H.S. in Fresno, CA, in 1960.

On February 6, 1961, Dad enlisted in the United States Air Force. From there, he was stationed at Lackland AFB, TX (February ’61 to March ’61); Amarillo AFB, TX (March ’61 to June ’61); Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, AZ (June 1961 to September ’63); and then sent to Da Nang, Vietnam (23 CAMRON PACAF) from October 1963 to September 1964. Before going into the Air Force, he attended classes at Fresno City College (“FCC”) in the Fall of 1960. After Vietnam, he returned to FCC and continued going to night school off and on until 1985. It was in November 1964 when he and two other classmates were involved in a project called OPERATION LIFELINE to aid South Vietnamese Orphans he encountered while in Vietnam. He continued his military career employed at the Air National Guard 144th Interceptor Fighter Wing in Fresno, CA, working primarily in Business Administration, Security Police, and doing some photography work until his retirement on January 15, 1986. His last rank was Master Sergeant. Dad also worked at the E&J Gallo Winery in Fresno, CA, from September 1971 to October 1984. He then moved his family to Arizona in January 1986. And from there, he worked at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (“PVNGS”) from late January 1986 to June 2008 in Security, the Tool Room, and Maintenance Department.

Dad enjoyed photography and working on “special projects” during his tenure at PVNGS and later at home.

Memorial Celebration Service will be held on Monday, March 21, 2022, at the Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary, 7924 North 59th Ave, Glendale, Arizona, at 10:30 am. Graveside Service will be conducted at 1:30 pm at the National Memorial of Arizona, 23029 Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, Arizona 1:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to The Wounded Warrior Project by phone at 1-855-448-3997 or mail to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka Kansas 66675-8516.