Memorial in works for beloved Barry

Below are reader submitted stories about Barry Webb, who passed away on Feb. 23.

POLSON - Polson lost a special, remarkable friend last week. Barry Webb, 69, passed away on Feb. 23 after several months of battling lymphoma.

Barry was at his house, with family, when he passed. A Polson native known for his infectious smile and enthusiasm, Barry was a town fixture. His daily walks through town, where he directed traffic, bowed to passers-by and visited a list of businesses, along with his die-hard attendance at Polson High School sporting events, garnered him countless friends throughout the area.

"He's a friend. A big part of Polson. He will be missed," Jackie Cripe said.

Plans for a memorial to honor Polson's most well-loved resident are planned for 2 p.m. on March 20 at the Linderman gym. Barry's sister, Charlotte Skofstad, said special music is planned. Suggestions have included the local bell choir and the Polson High School pep band.

"It will be a celebration of his life focusing on the light he brought into other people's lives," Skofstad said. "Barry never hid his light under the bushel."

She hopes all Barry's friends will share stories with her and make contributions to his obituary. You can contact her at 883-4854.

As she and the family dealt with their loss, Skofstad expressed her sincere thanks to everyone who honored and sent sthier stories to Barry as well as sent their stories. It meant a lot to Barry, she said.

A full obituary will include any possible changes and will appear in the Leader closer to the time of the memorial service, Skofstad said.

Friends of Barry are already planning to create a permanent memorial for him somewhere on Main Street. The site would include a bench with a bronzed pair of Barry's shoes. Skofstad said they have also requested city permission to spread some of Barry's ashes around the memorial.

Below are several ready-submitted Barry memories sent to the Leader:

Jackie Cripe, of Polson, told us:

Barry, who visited Jackie's store, Jackie M's Footwear, each day for 12 years, would sometimes ask people, "Are you lost?" Cripe said she could just imagine Barry arriving at the Pearly Gates and asking the Lord, "Are you lost?"

Dave Basta, of Polson, told us:

Dave used to pick him up every Monday, to go to SuperOne. They had just kind of a standing order for that. A little card to remind Dave of the grocery run on a board at the center said: "Barry, Monday." Barry would call Monday morning and tell cook Wanda Burland he wanted to go. She would move the card front and center so Dave got the message. That card is still up on the top of the board.

Peggy Aerni-Pick, now of Billings, wrote:

Barry was in grade school with me. I recently sent him a picture of the six grade basketball team with him as ball boy. He has a phenomenal gift for remembering people and names. When I returned to Polson after years in Denver, Colo., I met Barry on the street and he said, "Oh Peg."

Our class celebrated our 50th anniversary this last summer and classmate Ken brought Barry to our picnic and it was just as nothing had changed in 50 years. Barry knew everyone. What happiness he has bought to the home town just by knowing him!

Tyson Gaustad, now of California, wrote:

Hello, my name is Tyson Gaustad and my grandmother lived right next door to Barry in Polson when I was a kid and I spent a lot of time over at her house. Anyhow, I know Barry very well. He was just the best person in town. I now live in California and haven't been home in 10 or so years, so when I clicked on the paper this morning and saw his face, I was so happy that he is being recognized. He is an iconic figure in Polson, at least in my mind. When I was a kid I did a lot of fishing and hanging out with Barry in Polson. I guess I was about 10 at the time, but I always knew that he was there when I would come over for a visit, and greatly appreciated all the time I was able to spend with Barry. I still talk about him to people here in California, that have never even met Barry and they all say we need more people like him with his compassion for life. I love you Barry, keep it up.

Richard Twilde, now of Missoula, stopped by and told us this Barry story:

Dick knew Barry through family connections, as they both lived on the East Shore. During the annual Harvest Fest at the Montecahto Club, Correan Webb would sing for the crowd. Barry, in his distinct way, would always come up with a way to cheer his mom on. "Hot dog!" he would yell. No matter what, Barry had something to say during those Harvest Days. Even one year when Correan couldn't sing, Barry made sure his voice was heard - "Hot Dog!"

Carol Cummings, of Polson, wrote:

I was walking toward Barry at church one Sunday. He suddenly put one arm across his front and one arm across his back and made a very courtly bow to me. I returned his bow with the best curtsy I could muster. How often does a person get to play a scene like that today? Barry is one of a kind, as you so correctly said.