Memorial
Hoyt Leroy Barrick, 97, formerly of Riceville, Iowa passed away peacefully on August 22, 2025, in Marion, Iowa. He was born on June 4, 1928, in Wapello, Iowa to Rolland Oscar and Edith Alice (Matthews) Barrick. He lived a full and interesting life from beginning to end and positively touched the lives of many people along the way.
He attended Wapello consolidated schools in Wapello, Iowa. Upon graduation he served 2 years in the U.S. Army where he was stationed overseas in Germany. After having served he attended the University of Northern Iowa where he earned his teaching degree and furthered his education at Kirksville, Missouri earning his masters. He taught drafting and auto mechanics at the junior and senior high level in Columbus Junction, Iowa from 1958-1975.
Hoyt was united in marriage to Nancy Esther Shean of Cedar Rapids, Iowa in May 1961. They had 3 children, Maria, Carrie and Andrew.
After leaving teaching he moved his family to northern Iowa where he was employed by Solvay America in Charles City and farmed land in the Little Cedar area of Mitchell County. Hoyt was active in the UCC Church of Riceville for many years, even giving the sermon on several occasions. He spent enjoyable hours in his wood shop, where he made many birdhouses and feeders for family as well as for himself. The birds loved his yard and the corn and seed that he faithfully provided them throughout the year. In return they gave him many hours of happy birdwatching.
Other pastimes included walking in his woods, driving around his land in his golf cart, sitting on his glider in the evenings with a glass of tea watching the hummingbirds flit around, playing a game or two of pool with his grandsons or son-in-law, reading his Bible daily, and other books by his favorite author, James Patterson. Hoyt especially loved having his family around. He was at his happiest when everyone was together at the farm enjoying his park in the woods, making s’mores by the firepit, riding his 4-wheeler and golf cart and enjoying each other’s company. These were the best of times.
Hoyt was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, four brothers, Lester, Stanley, Sydney and Dalford, and two sisters, Jeanette and Inger.
He is survived by his two daughters, Maria Barrick of Melbourne, Florida, Carrie Thorp (Barrick) and her husband Kevin Thorp of Marion, Iowa, and one son, Andrew Barrick and his wife Terri Barrick (Niichel) of Trussville, Alabama, 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He was a loving father and grandpa who created wonderful and lasting memories for us that we will cherish forever.
He will be interred in the Riceville, Iowa Cemetery next to his wife, Nancy.
I Corinthians 2:9