Loleta Barnhart

Loleta Elizabeth Barnhart passed away peacefully on August 31, 2018, surrounded by her family at her home of 54 years. She was both a trendsetter and a woman of tradition, enriching her community and all those who came into her presence over many decades. Loleta was born in Altus, Oklahoma in 1920 and remained in that community until she enrolled in the engineering program at the University of Oklahoma. One of 8 women in the school she further distinguished herself as one of only 4 women who pursued her degree in architecture. As with many others, World War Two intervened and she became a weather monitor at Rogers Field in Oklahoma City where she also met her husband, Barney. While he was away she honored her promise to her parents and completed her degree in mathematics from Oklahoma City University in 1944. In 1947, Loleta and Barney decided to drive to Santa Fe to open a photography studio. The absence of maps and guides meant they ended up instead in El Paso. Frustrated, the young couple decided to return to Oklahoma but, by chance, travelled through San Angelo. Immediately realizing the potential of San Angelo, they fell in love with the community and made it their permanent home. The next decades were a blend of innovation and tradition for Loleta. Newly opened, Barney’s Studio was the family business, but Loleta also pursued her gifts and talents in the field of architecture and building design most closely associated with Leonard Mauldin first and later Ron Barbutti. Over the next decades she was deeply involved in the design or remodel of iconic San Angelo buildings such as First Christian Church, City Auditorium, First United Methodist Church and the nationally awarded Spur Building. During her period of service on the Downtown San Angelo Board and Historic San Angelo, her vision and passion also spurred plans for the revitalization of that entire area. She and Barney shared a deep sense of commitment to the community leading them to establish a three-day camp for children with disabilities from the West Texas Rehabilitation Center (WTRC). She continued her community outreach in many other ways most notably her deep involvement in the important work of Rust Street Ministries, Meals for the Elderly and House of Faith. For these and many other accomplishments she was honored by the Girl Scouts in 2013 as a Woman of Distinction. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Barney. She is survived by her three daughters, Linda and husband Jim Rasor, Barbara and husband Joe Rallo, and Laura and husband David Gillis, as well as 4 grandchildren, Wayne Rasor and wife Brenda, Kimberly Gillis, Austin Gillis and wife Brianna and Shelley Boyd and husband Joe, four great-grandkids, Jace Rasor, Rhiannon Rasor, Merissa & Jaie Renaud, Zoe Gillis and one more on the way. Also, John and Diane Neher, second cousins from a lively line of fun-loving cousins and countless special ‘adopted’ grown kids who wandered into her life and adored their ‘second’ mom. Her international ASU students from South Korea also continued to stay in touch with their Texas “grandmother” long after they returned home. The family is thankful for the wonderful staff of Hospice of San Angelo and for the prayers of so many friends. Visitation will be held from 5:30 -7:30 pm at Harper Funeral Home, 2606 Southland Blvd, San Angelo on Monday, September 3. A service in her memory will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, September 4 at First United Methodist Church in San Angelo. You may celebrate Loleta’s life with a donation to the Rehab Camp or Hospice of San Angelo through West Texas Rehabilitation Center, Rust Street Ministries, House of Faith, or a charity of your choice.