Barley, Lawrence Peter

Lawrence Peter Barley, of Blacksburg, passed away peacefully, on August 25, 2012, at home, surrounded by his family. Pete was born on April 30, 1927, and lived in Chicago, Illinois until he came to Blacksburg, to live with his daughter, Christine Lewis, and her family. He played football for St. Patrick Academy, was honorably discharged from the Army after World War II, and retired as yardmaster after 42 years with the Milwaukee Road Railroad. He also owned and operated an insurance business during those years. Pete enjoyed playing golf, was a fan of the Chicago White Sox and the Cubs, but liked football and the Chicago Bears most of all. He told stories of watching games with his dad and brother at Wrigley Field and Soldier Field, and could name all the players from the old teams when he was still a boy. Devoted to his family, Pete was preceded in death by his mother and father (whom he cared for until their deaths) and brother. Left to cherish his memory are his two daughters, Kim Ferario and Chris Lewis; two sons, Bill Allen and John Allen; fifteen grandchildren, including Becky and Stephen Brawley of Christiansburg, Daniel Lewis and Hannah Lewis of Blacksburg, and Sam Lewis of Radford; and five great-grandchildren, including Kailyn Brawley. Pete’s family will hold a private memorial on Thursday, August 30, 2012. He was an avid reader and his family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library in his memory. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.