Thomas Darby Barrans passed away on May 20, 2019 in Oakhurst, California, after battling a rare inoperable brain tumor diagnosed a year earlier. He was 75 years old.
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 25, 1944 to James Barrans and Mary Barrans (nee Josick), Tom grew up in Southern California with his mother, stepfather Van Stewart and sister Marge.
He moved back east where he met and married his first wife Patty. When drafted for service, he enlisted in the Navy where he served on the USS Guardfish, a nuclear submarine.
After his discharge, Tom returned to Fresno to complete his education at Fresno State College. He went on to work with the Fresno County Assessor’s Office as a draftsman and later an appraiser. It was there that he met and married his second wife, Barbara.
In 2001, the two of them moved to Oakhurst to enjoy retirement. Here he joined the local Masonic lodge where he would serve as a Master. He was also an active member of Christ Church Anglican. He loved American history, antique buttons, ships and music.
Tom’s life was a testament to his resiliency, having overcome childhood polio and several more health challenges that would follow.
He is survived by Barbara his wife in Oakhurst, his only daughter from his first marriage Katharine Middlebrook (husband Todd) and two grandchildren, Jordan and Patrick, all residing in Texas. He also leaves behind Marge McLeod, his sister residing in Arizona.
A funeral for Tom Barrans will be at Christ Church Anglican on June 15 at 11 a.m. Christ Church Anglican meets at the Masonic Lodge in Oakhurst, located at 40216 Highway 49.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to your favorite charity.
