Barbara Jean Keller-Clayton

Barbara was born in Ault, Colorado on November 6, 1938 to Joe and Florence Garcia (Lopez) and was the oldest of four siblings.  She was married to Ronald Keller for 18 years, and they had four children.  She later married Truman Clayton on January 3, 1986.

Barbara spent her early years in Greeley, and the family moved to Brighton when she was eleven.  She graduated from Brighton High, and went to a women's college for a year.  During this time she worked as a nanny until she met and married Ron Keller.  Her next adventure was to work as a legal secretary, and have four kids Ronnie, Rhonda  Leland, and Melany.  After learning how to talk her way out of anything, she worked as a secretary for several pipeline construction companies, eventually moving up to be an office manager.  After this she worked for United Power.  Now that the kids were able to take care of themselves she set her sites on her dream job and traveling by working in reservations for Continental, and then United.  Barbara took early retirement in 2020 after 36 years.  We hope she saw all the sites and places she wanted to.

Barbara loved family, travel, chocolate, roses and getting a bargain. One of her favorite things to do was to hop on a plane to vacation with family and friends. Birthdays and family reunions were all special times, probably because she adored spending time with the little kids. She went all out for the family Christmas and Thanksgiving celebrations and hated to take down the Christmas tree – sometimes even leaving it up until Valentine's Day. Her favorite chocolate was Russell Stover and she would share the caramels with friends and other family members. She had a large rose garden with lots of different varieties that Truman lovingly took care of for her. Some of her best times were spent getting a deal on something.

Barbara was also a devout Catholic and went to church every week, and sometimes more if someone needed some extra prayers. She was always very trusting and often helped complete strangers that she empathized with.

Barbara is survived by her husband Truman Clayton, her siblings, Charlotte Goodrow (Bob), Dale Garcia (Sauni), and Susie O'Connor (Steve).  Her four children Ronnie, Rhonda (Mary), Leland (Mary), and Melany (Todd), two step-children, Vicki, Ron “Spike” (Sarah); along with eight grandchildren Rio, Stanley, Brandon, Cody, Chance, Hope, Piper, and Bailey.  She was preceded in death by both parents, Brother in-law Jim Goodrow, and nephew, Jeff Garcia.

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