Bobby Barter

Bobby Jess Barter, well-known South Texas cowboy, passed away September 27, 2014 at the age of 83, from congestive heart failure. He was born to Lucille Morrow Barter and Samuel Jesse Barter in Mercedes, Texas May 1, 1931. He lived in Weslaco, Texas most of his life, but in March 2014 moved with his wife, Darlene to San Antonio so that they were closer to his grandson Jesse and family. Bobby graduated from Mercedes High School and attended Texas A&I University Kingsville. While serving in the U.S. Air Force at Lackland Air Force base, in San Antonio, he also attended Trinity University. Years later he returned to school at Pan American University in Edinburg and participated in their college rodeo team. He spent most of his adult life involved in ranching in South Texas, and was active in 4-H Clubs, raising goats for livestock shows. But his real passion was team roping. Bobby started roping at a very young age first practicing on his mother’s chickens, then graduating to his dad’s dairy calves; until in desperation his dad built him a roping arena and purchased Bobby his own horse and calves. Now there was no stopping him! His first big win at the age of 16 was a beautiful hand-tooled pair of boots. During his career he won more than 22 saddles, countless belt buckles, and other awards. Sixty-seven years later, those first boots are treasured as a reminder of all the “wins” in Bobby’s life. At the age of 80, he was still enjoying this passion for roping when his horse, Giddy up, fell on him ending Bobby’s roping career. His second love was for his horses and his puppy, Fred, who shadowed every step that Bobby took. He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Margaret Barter Goeser; his brother-in-law, George Goeser; and his son, Bobby (Booger Bob) Barter. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Darlene Hines Barter; his son, David Barter; his grandsons, Bandera Jess Barter, and Jesse Samuel Barter and wife, Sarah; along with his great-grandchildren and “precious angels”, Brantley and Adelyn. He is also survived by Darlene’s loving and large Hines family, including brothers-in-law, Euel (wife, Illa), Charles (wife, Polly); and sisters, Evelyn Hines Johnson (husband, Fred), Myrtle Nell Custer; along with many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank his beloved Pastors Art Beckwith (Rio Grande Fellowship Church), Stephen Parker (First Baptist Church of Weslaco) and Pat Traxler (Brush Country Cowboy Church). And thanks also to Bobby’s San Antonio “family”, Nancy Stinson and daughter, Amy Stinson. Services will be held at Brush Country Cowboy Church, 1417 South Hwy 37 Access Rd, George West TX 78022 (Located at the corner of CR 381 and HWY 37 South bound access) at 10:30 am on Friday, Oct 3, 2014. All of his roping buddies are invited to serve as honorary pallbearers. Cowboy attire. Internment of his ashes will follow the service at George West Cemetery. Directions to Brush Country Cowboy Church: From the north, exit at Oakville #65 and stay on the access road for approximately 3 miles. From the south, exit at FM 799, turn left under the freeway then right to continue north one mile on the south bound access road. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to:Rio Grande Fellowship Church, PO Box 1029, Progreso, TX 78579 First Baptist Church of Weslaco, 600 S. Kansas Ave, Weslaco, TX 78596 Brush Country Cowboy Church, PO Box 1426, George West, TX 78022