Frederick Child Barrell Jr

On August 14, 2011 Frederick (Dixie) C. Barrell, Jr., of Holladay, Utah, ended his marvelous and inspiring life's journey, which began on October 9, 1915, in Winchester, Tennessee, as the son of Fred Sr. and Gertrude Oltesvig, a Norwegian immigrant. Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, he is a 1933 North High School graduate. As a member of the Iowa Army National Guard he rode in the Horse Cavalry with Ronald "Dutch" Reagan.
The Great Depression changed his family's direction. Fred was forced to withdraw from Iowa State University and his engineering studies. He volunteered to join the pre-war Army as an enlisted soldier. Upon the attack on Pearl Harbor, due to his prior college studies coupled with his superb military record, Fred was enrolled in Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and commissioned as an Officer. Captain Barrell assumed Command of a Field Artillery Battery in the 42nd Infantry Division (Rainbow) as they fought World War II throughout Europe. His unit was the first Americans to discover the atrocities as they liberated the Dachau Concentration Camp. After VE Day in 1945 he was appointed as a Military Governor in post-war Austria.
After serving overseas, he resigned from the Army and returned to Iowa to commence his civilian life. He enrolled at the University of Iowa with the GI Bill and received his degree in Business Administration. In 1949, he met Eleanor Swanson and after a one-year courtship, they married in 1950. Their union resulted in the birth's of Fred III, Denise, Daniel, and Jeffrey in the next seven-years.
In 1969, at the age of 54, Fred took a big risk by ending his business partnership in Des Moines, purchased the Salt Lake City Roto-Rooter franchise, and relocated the Barrell family from Iowa to Holladay, Utah.
Fred was a loving, gregarious person who treated his family, friends, and employees with respect, trust, and honesty. His positive and optimistic attitude endeared him to those in his family, Church, and community. He passed in his sleep surrounded by his loving family.
Fred is survived by Eleanor, his wife of 61 years; Fred III (widower) of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Denise Barrell Love (and William) and Daniel (and Arlene) of Salt Lake City; and Jeffrey (and Candy) of Newton, Massachusetts; 10 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by both of his parents, Fred Sr., Gertrude, and his sister Hazel Barrell Ingham.
His funeral will be conducted at 1 PM, 18 August 2011 at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church followed by interment at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Fred's wish was for donations to be made to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 2500 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84124, to assist in the church's active ministry in the community.