Earl Henry Barclay

Earl Henry Barclay was born on June 15, 1935, in Sterling, Idaho to Silas and Grace Jones Barclay in his parents’ farmhouse. He lived in the same farmhouse his whole life and fulfilled his wish of dying in the same house on June 21, 2026.

Earl was very family-centered from an early age; his three siblings and their families lived on Barclay Road within half a mile of each other. Earl learned to work hard on the farm with lots of crops and animals. He was active in FFA growing up and carried a love of agriculture throughout his life.

Sports were important to Earl. He loved to play sports when he was younger. He was on the 1952 Aberdeen state championship football team and the 1953 Aberdeen state basketball team. He was also a pitcher on the baseball team and was offered to play in the minor leagues. In addition to playing sports, Earl loved watching and listening to sports broadcasts. He loved BYU.

Earl loved serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life. He served as a missionary in the Western Canadian mission from 1955 to 1957. He loved to tell stories about his mission service. Earl served as bishop in the Lakeview Ward, as high counselor, Elder’s Quorum President, in the Young Men’s and scouting for decades. He helped many young men achieve their Eagle Scout rank and received the Silver Beaver award.

Earl served in the Army Reserves for 6 years, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Earl received the Army Reserve Soldier of the Year award in 1962. He loved the USA.

In 1970, Earl met a young school teacher named Connie Leonard through his sisters, Ada and Alma. Earl proposed to Connie on Valentine’s Day, and they were married on March 26, 1971. They had seven children: Scott, Shaun, Marianne, Marilyn, Stephen, JanaLee, and Julaine. Earl loved his children and taught them how to work hard and love the Gospel. Earl and Connie recently celebrated 55 years of marriage.

Earl loved people. He loved serving others. People felt valued around him – because they were valuable to him. He spent 22 years working at the Aberdeen School District in custodial, maintenance, and driving school bus. He started driving school bus from when he was 17 well into his 80s. During his time at the school district, he spent a lot of time with kids – driving the wrestling bus and helping the kids. Earl gave the graduation keynote address in 2007. He told the graduates to work hard.

Earl loved to work – he put in long hours farming and ranching and at the school. He loved to comment on his 140 acres of flood-irrigated pasture – how it looked lush and green.

Earl is preceded in death by parents Silas and Grace Barclay, siblings Ada Barclay (Olen) Lankford, Alma Barclay (Byron) Nelson.

Earl is survived by his brother Duane (Stenna) Barclay, wife Connie Leonard Barclay, children Scott (Melanie) Barclay, Shaun (Julie Anna) Barclay, Marianne (Steve) Strickland, Marilyn (Cody) Smith, Stephen (Amy) Barclay, JanaLee (Chad) Jackson, Julaine (Ryan) Howe, 33 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and 1 on the way.

A viewing will be held at the Lakeview Ward church, 2120 W 800 S (Highway 39), Springfield, ID 83277, on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 6 to 7:30 PM and from 10 to 10:45 AM on Thursday, June 25, prior to the funeral at 11 AM.

The family wishes to thank Heritage Home Health and Hospice and Davis-Rose Mortuary.