06/09/2026
Barry “Grubby” Bauserman, 61, left this world after a hard-fought battle with cancer, but not before teaching all of us a thing or two about hard work, gratitude, kindness, and the value of a simple life.
Barry never needed much to be happy. Fancy vacations, expensive hobbies, and big-city excitement weren’t really his thing. His version of a perfect day started at sunrise with a thermos full of coffee and a ride down to the family farm to check the cows and fences. There, alongside his farming partner, best friend, and mother, Cay, he found everything he needed. Together they checked cows, solved the world’s problems, and enjoyed the quiet beauty of farm life. She always knew if he started the sentence with “well what do you think about this..” his mind was already made up.
The farm wasn’t just where Barry worked - it was where his heart lived.
Barry was the kind of man who greeted people in a way that made them feel important. Whether you were family, a lifelong friend, or someone he’d just run into, you were likely to hear his signature greeting, “Hey, kid,” delivered with a smile that made you feel genuinely welcome. He welcomed people as if seeing them was the highlight of his day. And truthfully, for Barry, it often was.
He worked hard all his life, but if you asked him, his favorite job was farming. He loved the simple, quiet life and measured success not by what he owned, but by the people he loved, the work he accomplished, and the peace he found at home in “chipmunk holler”,
Barry was known for asking for advice. Not because he planned to follow it, necessarily, but because he respected the people around him. He would listen carefully, nod thoughtfully, consider every opinion offered, and then proceed to do exactly what he intended to do in the first place. It was a process everyone came to know and love.
He gave freely of his time. Whether helping a neighbor, lending a hand to a friend, or working with 4-H kids on their livestock projects, Barry was always willing to show up. He never seemed too busy for someone who needed help.
He took great joy in creating memorable moments, though he often disguised it with his trademark sense of humor. For many years, he proudly played Santa Claus at family Christmas gatherings, delighting in keeping his identity a secret and watching the wonder on the kids’ faces. The rest of the year, however, those same children might find themselves reading a sign that said, “Unattended Children Will Be Sold” at his campsite during the county fair. Beneath the teasing was a man who genuinely loved children and took great joy in encouraging, helping, and making memories with them.
Though Barry was tough as nails, he never lost his appreciation for others. Even during cancer treatments, when he had every reason to be focused on his own struggles, he made sure to thank every doctor, nurse, and caregiver he encountered. His simple phrase, “Thank you for your time,” reflected the respect and gratitude he carried throughout his life.
Of all the blessings in Barry’s life, none meant more to him than his wife, Karen. He often said that the years they spent together were the best years of his life. They shared a love for simple living, quiet moments, and each other’s company. Their life together didn’t need grand adventures to be meaningful - it was built on friendship, laughter, loyalty, and love.
Barry was deeply loved by his family and friends, and he loved them right back. He leaves behind countless memories, stories that will be retold for years, and a space that can never truly be filled.
It’s easy to imagine that somewhere beyond this life, Barry has already found a pasture that needs checking.The cows are all accounted for, the fences are in good shape, and for once, nobody is trying to tell him how to do things.
For a man who asked for everyone’s opinion but usually followed his own, that sounds about right.
We’ll miss his laugh, his kindness, his work ethic, and the way he made people feel welcome. Most of all, we’ll miss him.
A life well lived. A man well loved. One not soon forgotten.
Barry leaves behind the people who made his life rich and meaningful: his beloved wife, Karen Bauserman, who stood beside him during the most difficult times of his life; his mother and lifelong farming partner, Cay Larrison; his stepdaughters, Kelsey (Ross) Hursey and Karey (Shiloh) West; and his special niece, Tawny (Chad) Pletcher, along with her boys, Westin and Dawson, who held a special place in his heart.
He was proud Papaw Grubby to Jolene, Rhett, Evie, and York, and he cherished every opportunity to spend time with them.
Barry also leaves behind his lifelong friend, Ernie Malas. The two shared a lifetime of adventures, travels, laughter, and just enough trouble to keep things interesting. Through every season of life, they always had each other’s backs, and their friendship was one Barry treasured deeply.
He is also survived by his brother, Landy Bauserman who loved him more than anything; his uncle, Clayton (Debbie) Dawson and their son, Will; his nieces, Erin Holmes and her daughters, Dahlia and Lily Jackson, and Alyssa Hoopes and her sons, Jace and Caysen; his father, Larry Bauserman; along with many beloved cousins, extended family members, and close friends who became family over the years.
Barry was welcomed into Heaven by his stepfather, Buddy Larrison; his grandmother, Bernice Dawson; his Aunt Jackie Huhn; his uncles, Myron Dawson and Logan Dawson; and many other loved ones who surely had a warm greeting waiting for him.
A celebration of life will be held on June 27, 2026, at 6:00 pm at Barry's home. BURRELL FUNERAL SERVICES is serving the family.
