John Barnhisel

John K. Barnhisel, 76, also known as Gray Hunter, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 in Portneuf Medical Center. John was born on October 23, 1936 in Billings, Montana. His mother's name was Sally. John was adopted when he was two by a man named Clayton Jesse Barnhisel. His biological father's last name was Hunter hence the business name of Gray Hunter. He had two siblings , Judy and Rocky. Rocky died when he was 15 or 16 leaving John with one sister who is still alive. He is survived by plenty of children that he adopted but at least two biological daughters that he and his ex-wife Melonie McCausey raised. His two daughters are Melodie "Joey" Barnhisel and Susan Barnhisel. John was an entrepreneur who built antler art for many years and tied them together with rawhide. He always to his daughters and customers the they were the only ones in the whole world who tied them together with rawhide. He continued building his chandeliers, lamps, coat hangers and many more up into his 60s. He loved his work. He always talked about how cowboys loved it and how natural it was. He loved how it looked in a house. Up until a few years ago John wore a straw hat everywhere around the property and if we were going on a road trip. He loved that hat. He got a sunburn one year on a small portion of his head because there was a hole in it. For more formal things like going to town or on a business meeting he wore a fancy hat with lots of cool pins on it and each had its own story that he used to tell us. John had a life full of bar fights, crazy people and traveling. He always told stories when going out for ice cream or food. He was so excited whenever he got to reminisce. He lived a long, happy and exciting life with plenty of adventures. As a friend of his said, "We did have a long and eventful life. It was a good ride." Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 1, 2013, at the LDS Alameda 1st Ward Building on the corner of Walnut and Jefferson. Condolences may be sent the family online at www.Colonial-FuneralHome.com.