Doyle Gene Barney

Doyle Gene Barney (74), of Grant, passed away in a car accident while taking his dear wife to lunch on Friday, May 15, 2026. 

Doyle was born to Ruth Gohr and Gene M. Barney on July 6, 1951, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Doyle was the fourth child born, followed by four younger siblings. 

Doyle attended Rigby High School graduating with the class of 1969. He was a very hard-working man. At young age he began working at Freshpak. He worked with many family members including; his mom, siblings, cousins, children, nieces and nephews. He was employed there as a shift foreman until his retirement in 2006.

Doyle stole the heart of JoAnn Smith in his light pink Chrysler. They were married on November 24, 1971, in Rigby and made their home in Grant.

 Doyle and JoAnn were blessed with three beloved children: Hilary, Candace, and Ryan. They raised their family in Grant, next door to Doyle’s mom, Ruth. Through his example, Doyle taught his children the value of hard work, honesty, and the importance of always being there for family. 

Doyle loved and cared for his family deeply. As a young man, he helped his mom travel back and forth to Salt Lake while his dad was undergoing cancer treatment. Later in life, he continued to help care for her yard and home. He was a regular at every family gathering. With his siblings, they made sure his mom was able to attend the annual Gohr reunions, no matter the location. 

Doyle played cards weekly with his siblings. Conversations were often filled with stories of childhood, family, and the many memories they shared. Those times together meant a great deal to him. 

After his family, Doyle’s next great love was golf. Rain, wind, or even snow, you could find him on the golf course. A broken arm or a torn Achilles hardly slowed him down. He made six hole-in-ones, with the latest just two days before his passing. His golf buddies were his second family. They worked together, played cards together, helped each other with ranch and farm work, and shared many memories and laughs on vacations. 

Doyle also loved sports. He played city league basketball, church softball, and coached his son’s church basketball team. He enjoyed hiking, rafting, and any road trip he could go on. He supported his children and grandchildren in their sporting activities. Starting with his dad, Doyle attended many state basketball tournaments and loved watching basketball for three or four days straight. He was also a loyal supporter of Rigby High School sports, including working the chains and lines during football games. 

Doyle is survived by his sweetheart wife, JoAnn Smith Barney of Grant; two children, Candace (Pete) Deffendol of Smithfield, Utah, and Ryan (Lacy) Barney of Grant; 11 grandchildren; two brothers, Keith (Colleen) Barney of Grant, and Brett (Steven) Barney of Lincoln, Nebraska; and three sisters, Judy Merrill of Menan, Vicki Harriman of Garfield, and Wanda (Mike) Pincock of Mud Lake. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, two siblings, Barbara and Wayne; His brothers-in-law Dick (Judy) Merrill, Emery Smith, sister-in-law Machelle Smith, and his daughter, Hilary (Mike) DeFord.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 30,2026, at the Grant Church, 3431 E 100 N, Rigby, Idaho. The family will visit with friends and family Friday, May 29, 2026, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. also at the Grant Church, and again on Saturday from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in the Grant Central Cemetery.