John Newhall Barnhart

BARNHART, JOHN NEWHALL (1924 ~ 2016). The following is an obituary for former Texas House of Representatives Member John Barnhart. The obituary was provided by Galloway and Sons Funeral Home of Beeville.

JOHN NEWHALL BARNHART

BERCLAIR - John Newhall Barnhart, 90, of Berclair, passed away early Tuesday, February 23, 2016. He was born November 29, 1924 in Childress, Texas to the late Joseph M. Barnhart and Esther K. Barnhart. John called Beeville his home, as his parents moved the family there and remained until their subsequent deaths.

John was a civil trial lawyer and statesman, serving in the Texas Legislature in the 1950's. He began his law practice in Beeville. In the 1960's he moved his family to Houston, where he continued his practice and remained until 2004. He made the family ranch in Berclair his home from that point on. He was a gifted orator, highly respected among his peers. He was a devoted Democrat. He was Head Yell Leader at University of Texas, his Alma Mater. He believed in his fellow man and was a champion for civil rights. He loved Texas and Mexican history and could recite a Tall Texas Tale along with the best of them. He loved the outdoors, enjoyed mastering the winds as a sailor, and paddling the rivers as a canoeist. At his Berclair ranch, he enjoyed his miniature donkeys and cattle.

John leaves behind his sister, Ann B. DeLoach, daughters, Claire Barnhart (Wilfred Korth) of Berclair, Texas, and Gina B. Hardin (Roger Freeman) of Denver, Colorado, son, Joseph M. Barnhart IV of Houston, former son-in-law, Mark P. Hardin (Elizabeth Duval), granddaughters Lindsay Virginia Barratt (Michael) of Gainesville, Florida, Jessica Cloud Gartner (Daren), and grandson Ross Stephen Hardin of Denver, Colorado, and beloved nieces and nephews. John was expertly cared for in his later years by his assistant, Jeanette Estrada, whom he loved dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Joseph M. Barnhart III, his wife of 49 years, Virginia Leon Barnhart, and their son John N. Barnhart, Jr.

John was a lover of life, and at his request, a celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2016 from 12N - 3pm at the Barnhart Q5 Ranch, 8212 FM 883, 8 miles out of Berclair. The Rev. Clayton Elder of St. Philip's Episcopal Church of Beeville will officiate. Lunch will follow. All friends of John are welcome!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Philip's Episcopal Church, 311 E. Corpus Christi St., Beeville, TX 78102, the Goliad Historical Commission, PO Box 8, Goliad, TX 77963 or to Canoe Trail Goliad, PO Box 846, Goliad, TX 77963.

Galloway & Sons Funeral Home, Beeville, 361-358-2512.