Paul D. Barringer

Paul D. Barringer, known to his family as ""Pop"", a long time Denver resident passed away at the age of 83 on October 17, 2016. He lived his life for his family and dedicated his ""Eternal Love"" to each of them. Paul is survived by his wife Loraine and his three sons, Paul D. Barringer (Karen), Steven W. Barringer, and Robin J. Barringer (Michelle). He also had nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Paul was the oldest of three children. He was born in Fort Collins, Colorado, to Robert and Gladys Barringer. Along with his brother Wayne and sister Laverne, Robert and Gladys relocated their family to Denver, Colorado where Paul resided his entire life. At a very young age Paul took a liking to old time radio (sometimes referred to as The Golden Age of Radio) and also the Superhero comics genre, with Superman being his favorite. In the 1930s and 1940s it was a nightly routine, along with his brother and sister, to sit next to the family's radio on the floor and listen to programs such as The Shadow, Dick Tracy, The Lone Ranger, Little Orphan Annie, Red Ryder and Superman (his favorite). Any money earned as a young boy Paul was sure to spend it on the latest issue of his favorite comic books. (Again ... Superman being his favorite). The influence of Superman's character rubbed off onto his dedication to protect and serve those around him. He was commonly referred to: as Superman by his family and friends. He attended Manual High School through the 9th grade then dropped out of school to begin working to help support his family. His first job was as an ""iceman"" where he drove a truck to deliver blocks of ice for household cold closets. This is where he then saw for the first time his eventual wife Loraine. He attended the Navy from April 29, 1950 to November 3, 1953 where he served as a Flag Semaphore on the USS Comstock and the USS Askari during the Korean War. Paul had the duty to communicate with other ships with signal flags and signal lamps while under radio silence. He often bounced Morse code off of clouds when Navy ships were too far away. (Up to his death, he could still send and receive Morse code!) Upon returning from the Korean War, he married his first love Loraine. From that day they spent ""EVERY SINGLE DAY"" together until his death. Paul and Loraine raised their family on the north side of Denver in a small community best known as Perl Mack."" In 1954 Paul began employment with The Public Service Company of Colorado whom he retired for after 37 years in 1991. In those 37 years of employment, he never missed one day of work! Paul's hobbies and interests included painting, drawing, comic books, listening to copies of old time radio and coaching youth sports. Early in his adulthood, his comic book interests landed him the opportunity to be a color artist for D.C Comics. Well know artists such as Bob Kane, the artist who created Batman, and others, would send penciled drawing cells to Paul's house which he would then ink and send back to the print house. Paul also painted billboards for Mile High Comics that would match covers to popular comic books that sat at the top of their store located on South Broadway. Paul's interest in Old Time Radio continued with his desire to uphold the Golden Age of Radios legacy, by writing articles for the Radio Historical Association of Colorado. His painting interest included the study of the ""wet on wet"" oil painting technique popularized by the famous Bob Ross (who was Paul's favorite) and Bill Alexander. Paul would never miss an episode of The Joy of Painting and The Magic of Oil Painting. Although he never became a famous artist, one of his works of art became notorious for its appearance on Monday Night Football in the 70's during a Denver Bronco game at Mile High Stadium. One of Paul's paintings depicted Howard Cosell on Superman's body and contained the caption ""SuperMouth"". His youth sport coaching began with the coaching of his three sons, Paul, Steve and Rob, all of which became college athletes (Paul in football, Steve in basketball, and Rob in baseball). After finishing the coaching duties to his sons, Paul along with his wife Loraine, became his sons biggest fans. Through their high school and college athletic careers Paul would always be seen standing courtside, or behind a fence! Paul's coaching did not stop with his sons. He continued his legacy of coaching by also coaching his grandchildren. In the eyes of many people surrounding the Barringer family, Paul's love for sports created a passage for his family to become some of the biggest Denver Bronco fans in Denver. In 2009, his wife Loraine suffered a massive stroke, which kept her unable to care for herself. Paul became the primary caretaker for Loraine. His devotion and eternal love exemplified his Superman like qualities by not taking a single day off! On every birthday, anniversary, and Valentine's Day card he gave Loraine, he ended in writing the word ""ETERNALLY"". Paul could spell any word backward as fast as a normal person could spell it forward and it was common for Paul to share a joke or two or three... to each and everyone he knew. As a self-educated man Paul will be remembered for his quick wit and his sense of humor. Most of all, Paul will be remembered for his love for his family and GOD. ""We love you Pop ... ETERNALLY"" Recitation of the Rosary will be Thursday, October 27, 2016, beginning at 9:30 AM (previously 10:30 AM) at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 7577 West 80th Avenue, in Arvada, Colorado 80003, with Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 AM, at Spirit of Christ Catholic Church, 7400 West 80th Avenue, in Arvada, Colorado 80003. Interment with Military Honors will begin at 2:15 PM, at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Area ""C"", 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, in Denver, Colorado. Please share your memories of Paul and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook below.