Barney McNulty Jr.

Barney McNulty, Jr, 88, of Cozad, Nebraska, died May 29, 2022, in Cozad, Nebraska, at Emerald Care. 

Barney McNulty Jr. was born in Cozad, Nebraska, on May 7, 1934, to Bernard and Gladys Pearl (Weaver) McNulty.  He attended school in Cozad.  He left school to work and help support the family when his father became ill.  He was joined in marriage to Leona Faye Major of Lexington, NE on November 14, 1953. They loved and lived for 55 years, until Leona’s death in 2008 after a long battle with cancer.  They were blessed with four daughters, Bonnia, Wendy, Kristie, and Tami. 

Barney was a certified auto mechanic and began his career at R & P Garage in Cozad.  A few years later Barney became a certified appliance repair technician starting his career with Boerkircher’s.  When Boerkircher’s closed their appliance sales years later, Barney started his own business and operated Barney’s Appliance Repair for years.  He then worked for Southview Manor in Cozad in the maintenance department until his retirement.

Barney and Leona retired and moved to their cabin at Lake McConaughy, near Lewellen, Nebraska.  They enjoyed being retired and living at Big Mac and fishing the days away.  They welcomed visitors as if they were already family.  Everyone knew that when Barney started up the John Deere “A” tractor, they had about five minutes to get down and be in the boat if they wanted to go fishing that morning.  The lake cabin became the meeting place for the families on weekends and holidays and everyone was welcome to come and park a camper and enjoy themselves.  Barney and Leona loved traveling to Lake Pierre, South Dakota for Coho salmon fishing, Canada for walleye fishing, and Homer, Alaska for halibut fishing.  Barney and Leona enjoyed many Husker football bowl games through bus tours and loved every one of them.

Barney returned to the Cozad area after Leona’s death in 2008, while she couldn’t be replaced, Barney was lucky enough to meet one special woman at church who brought a new joy into his life.  He and Patsy Maendele were married on April 2, 2009, at the First Christian Church in Cozad, Nebraska.  Pat’s two children, Pamala Maendele, and Jill (Rick) Esslinger of Cozad, NE made family gatherings complete again. 

Pat was a God-send for Barney.  Barney and Pat loved to travel and would travel to Rosebud on weekends for the fun and food.  Before Covid-19, they could be found at Burger King at least once each day where they would meet up with and enjoyed coffee and the company of their friends.  Their church family meant the world to them.  Their love for their rescue pets was undeniable.  Bless their hearts for rescuing each other.

Barney taught us many things in how he lived.  His home was a place of warmth, love, laughter and celebration. We spent so much time in the kitchen where we experienced fine cooking, baking, planning, playing cards, and memorable storytelling during each fishing trip. He was always there for us. He treated us all as a gift when the truth is he was ours. We will carry him with us always from one generation to the next and their stories will live on.  We cherish our times and wonderful memories.  Thank you for the road map and your gift of a life well lived. Barney gave the best big bear hugs and they will be missed. 

Barney’s favorite line was from a George Straight song he loved: Let me tell you a secret about a father's love, A secret that my daddy said was just between us He said daddies don't just love their children every now and then It's a love without end, amen.

Barney leaves behind his loving wife, Patsy Maendele McNulty; Daughters; Bonnia (Robert) Morris of Puyallup, Washington; Wendy (Michael) Judy, Hastings, Nebraska; Kristie (Gregory) Wagner, Lexington, Nebraska; Tami (Kal) Orr of North Liberty, Iowa; and step-daughter Jill (Rick) Esslinger of Cozad, Nebraska.  Grandsons:  Brett (Daisy) Wagner, Lexington, NE; Shane Wagner, Lexington, NE; and Joshua Orr, Fargo, North Dakota;  Granddaughters:  Michele (Keith) White, Hastings, NE; Amber (Jason) Donohue, McCook, NE; April (Erich) Turner, Puyallup, WA; Robyn (Robert) Mackenzie, Puyallup, WA; Tiffany (Joel) Miller, Fort Calhoun, NE; Brandi (Joseph) Kohl, North Liberty, IA; Rickey (Chelsea) Maendele, Cozad, NE; Bill (Jami) Maendele, Kearney, NE; and Mica Esslinger, Cozad, NE; 17 great-grandchildren; (1) great-great-grandchild; brother in law, Gene (Jennifer) Kahre; and many nieces and nephews.  He also leaves behind many dear friends from the First Christian Church and extended family members.

Barney was preceded in death by his wife, Leona Faye (Major) McNulty in 2008; Parents: Barney McNulty Sr. and Gladys Pearl (Weaver) McNulty. Brother: Bernard McNulty. Sisters: Esther Hatcher; Eileen McNulty, Betty Lou McNulty, and Judith Smock. Sister-in-Laws: Arleta McNulty and Sharon Anderson. Brother-in-Laws: Corwin Hatcher and Eugene Smock. Step daughter: Pam Maendele. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles.      

Memorials are suggested to the Church of Christ or Cozad Fire and Rescue. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, June 3, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Church of Christ on Newell with Pastor David Haynes officiating.  The family is honoring his wishes to be cremated.  Internment will be held at the Cozad Cemetery in Cozad, Nebraska. Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so on Thursday, June 2, 2022 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. with family present from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Berryman Funeral Home.