Ever the lover of a good fireworks display, Barry LaMar Bartlett (aka Papa Bear) "shot on over" to the other side when he quite suddenly graduated this life on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. It appears the giant heart beating in his chest just simply needed more room to grow, more people to love and more kingdom building work to do. As a family, our lives here on earth will never be the same.

Born July 4, 1945 in Madison, Wisconsin to George August Bartlett and Gladys Louise Cardo, Barry always thanked the people at parades, fireworks displays and other Independence Day celebrations for coming out to celebrate his big day! He loved God, his country and his family with his whole heart and soul. After briefly attending the last remaining one room school house in Iowa as a child, Papa Bear went on to great things. He graduated from West High School in Davenport after serving as senior class president, attended BYU-Provo, and served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil. After his mission he married the love of his life, served in the US Army during the Vietnam conflict, and ultimately settled in Orem, Utah where he finished his education, worked, raised a family and served others around him for the remainder of his time here on earth.

In a love story that would rival the best chick flick Hollywood has to offer, Barry married his soul mate Nancy Lee Haigh on November 26, 1968 in the Salt Lake temple. He was completely devoted to his beloved "Nance" for all his days and we know his devotion to her is endless and eternal. His incredible example of love, loyalty, sacrifice and service for the woman he loves are among the many gifts he gave to his children and grandchildren.

We loved our "Papa Bear" for a million reasons, but here are just a few that stand out:

* he taught us to be fearless in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was not possible to travel with him without seeing him reach out to others in love and ask literally ANYONE he met if they knew anything about the gospel of Jesus Christ or the Book of Mormon. His children and grandchildren loved the emails he would send from trips detailing his latest experiences testifying of Jesus. We have NO doubt he's already seeking a missionary assignment on the other side of the veil. Missionary work just ran through his veins. It was not a thing he "did", it was simply who he was.

* he taught us to love and embrace the silly parts of life. Laughing with Papa Bear was the best! We will never forget the tales of his adolescent misadventures out on the farm in Iowa. While we suspect he and Pierre the cat might have some unfinished business to deal with, we have no doubt he will win Pierre's love and affection in the end. Go get 'em PBear!

* he was endlessly curious and always seeking to learn and understand. Whatever topic interested you most was the one Papa Bear wanted to talk about. From politics to poker, religion to recreation, video games to volcanic rock or scripture to social media - he was interested in it all. His gift of gab was real and so was his ability to make everyone feel like they were the most interesting person in the room.

* his creativity inspired (and sometimes amused) us all. A Papa Bear gift was a gift twice blessed. First was unlocking the secrets to whatever "build a box" he had come up with to house the gift. Once you had broken through, the gift inside was like finding the prize at the bottom of a cracker jack box. Gifting by Papa Bear was a complete sensory experience! He was endlessly creative and always looking at the world from new and different angles. For several years his freehand Christmas window paintings on the front room window were the talk of the neighborhood - especially the years the painting stayed on the window well past Easter! Never afraid to challenge the mainstream narratives, he helped us all see with greater depth, compassion and love.

* he understood the grace of heaven and extended it to everyone. Papa Bear held no grudges, spoke no malice and harbored no ill will towards another person - even when he had "cause" in the eyes of the world. He was a living example of one who understands and freely extends grace to all. He studied the life of Jesus Christ with all the energy of his soul and truly tried to walk in the footsteps of his Master.

Papa Bear is preceded in death by his devoted parents, his sister Jyl and brother Jack, his incredible and brave daughter-in-law Tanya, Emerson the pizza box loving dog and of course, Pierre the cat.

He momentarily leaves behind his beautiful wife of more than 53 years, his children - Kimberly Rasband (Dan), Marshall (Audrey), Matthew and Jaime and one brother, Jan. His grandchildren Aaron, Lauren, Ashley, Hannah, Emily, Sarah, Bridger and Benjamin will also miss him dearly.

Papa Bear taught economics for many years at UVU (and also briefly at Orem High School). He loved to ask students when he would see them outside of class, "Are you making good economic decisions?" We feel certain that while his understanding of the economies of earth was substantial, the REAL economy he was referring to was the economy of heaven. In his honor, please consider investing yourself in serving someone in his memory, balancing your prayers a little more in favor of gratitude and spending time on the things that matter most. We all look forward to the day when he will regale us again with the tales of what he's been up to while WE were away! We will see you soon Papa Bear. Save us one of the good seats next to you up there.

Family and friends may visit Thursday, July 7, 2022, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, and prior to services Friday, July 8, 2022 from 9:30 -10:30 am at the church. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am at Sharon 8th Ward, 545 South 800 East,Orem. There will be a live stream of the service on Friday July 8, 2022 starting at 11 am. Just go to www.walkersanderson.com and click view live webcast.

Interment will be in Orem City Cemetery with Military Honors by American Legion Post 72.