Grandpa Barrus' Obituary

Rondo Barrus

Rondo Millward Barrus, 84, of Sugar City, died Monday, Sept. 29, 2008, at his home of natural causes. He was born Sept. 30, 1924, at the family home in Sugar City to Aldo Benoni and Mabel Louise Barrus. He attended Sugar-Salem High School and graduated from Ricks College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. He was active in music during his high school years as well as in the community. He married Janet Bitter on February 29, 1944, in the Logan LDS temple. After he and his sweetheart of 65 years were married, they lived in Pocatello, where he served is country in World War II by working at a Naval Ordnance gun plant on guns for the battleships. After three years he and his wife returned to Sugar City where he was employed at the Sugar City Mercantile. After receiving his bachelor's degree, Rondo taught mathematics and social studies at Madison Junior High School from 1956 to 1962. In 1962, he accepted a position at Sugar-Salem High School, where he was able to teach what he loved most – music. He also taught social studies. He taught both band and choir to students in grades seven through 12. He dedicated 28 years to teaching before retiring in 1983. He served in various callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, among them as ward and stake music director for many years. He organized the North Rexburg Stake Youth Choir under the direction of President O.P. Mortensen, and was asked by the general authorities to bring the youth choir to Salt Lake City to perform in the MIA General Conference in June 1962. He was a progressive force, serving the community of Sugar City for a total of 37 years. He served as the city clerk from 1951 until 1988 and then served as Mayor of Sugar City from 1988 to 1992. He also served as the secretary of the Sugar City Cemetery and the Woodmansee Johnson Ditch Company for several years. He had a great love for his family. He is survived by his wife, Janet, of Sugar City; children Carol (Scott) B'ct of Arcata, Calif., Brent (Jan) Barrus of Sugar City, Craig (Janice) Barrus of Bountiful, Utah, Ronette (John) Titensor of Springville, Utah, Elaine (DeWayne) Wallace of Elkhart, Texas, Kathy (Steven) Winkley and Ann Louise Barrus of West Jordan, Utah; 34 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, 12 siblings, a child, West Bitter Barrus, one grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at the Sugar City Stake center. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg, and Friday from noon to 12:45 p.m. at the church prior to services. Burial will be in the Sugar City Cemetery.


Published in the Rexburg Standard Journal on 10/1/2008