BARRACKMAN, Lionel Douglas

Parker Pioneer, Parker, AZ - Published on May 30, 2012 - Lionel Douglas Barrackman, came into this world on Sept. 24, 1942 in Parker, Ariz., and was a member of the Ft. Mojave Tribe. He was called home April 24, 2012, to be with his Lord and Savior on the eve of his and Ferdina's 47th wedding anniversary. It was in this very church that Barbara Barrackman and myself along with other witnesses watched them make their commitment to each other. Lionel spent a good part of his life here on the CRIT reservation. He lived down by the old Valley school, where Head Start is now housed. An avid musician, it was there that he learned to play the snare drum in the band that was taught by his late father, Roger Barrackman. After Valley School, he attended and graduated from Parker High School then left the reservation and completed his vocational training and became a certified plumber at the Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kan. It was while he was in high school that he became very active in the sports program. A member of the Letterman's Club, he excelled in football, basketball and baseball. I believe it was as a pitcher in baseball that he was most noted for. His size never hindered his performance in any sport. Upon returning from the Haskell Institute, he and Ferdina started their family here in Parker. Together they had four children. Lionel was certainly the provider and made sure that his family were never without want, and Ferdina was the homemaker and made sure that their house was always in order. Lionel worked for the Tribes her until he secured a job with the Metropolitan Water District out of Parker Dam, Calif. He worked there until he retired in 1995. He enjoyed life, and raising his children. He then became a grandparent and also a great-grandfather. He lived life to the fullest until his health started to get the better of him. He never let that be the crutch in his life. He continued to enjoy all that they had produced. One of his final wishes in the event of his demise, was to make this his final resting place next to his daughter and grand-daughter, as they are rested here in the CRIT cemetery. He is preceded in death by daughter Regina Lois Lopez; grand-daughter Keala Barrackman Lopez; parents Lona and Roger Barrackman; sisters Blanche Kenna, Marjorie Arrison; Gerrie Vevages; brother Lewellyn (Betty) Barrackman; and Aunt Faith (Barrackman) Wilson. He is survived by his wife Ferdina Barrackman; daughters Marsha Barrackman of Parker; Luanna (Lorenzo Jr.) Rodriguez, Mohave Valley, Ariz.; and son Thomas Barrackman of Parker; grandchildren; Denise, Dalton, Isiah, Douglas, and Tyler Eswonia of Parker; Rahoma and Liranda Fernandez of Mohave Valley; Charlee, Tawnee and Benjamin Barrackman of Parker; great-granddaughters Lovianne Phan and Kae-Lynn Gloria Holmes of Mohave Valley; and numerous nieces and nephews and many family members too numerous to mention.