Rev. Devon William Barrix

Reverend Devon William Barrix, age 81, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2024 in the palliative care unit at Aspirus Hospital Wausau after suffering a massive hemorrhagic stroke. He was born on July 24, 1942 to Ione Elizabeth Roloff in Reedsburg. James Edward Barrix later married Ione and adopted Devon at the age of five.

Devon grew up on a farm and received his elementary education in a one-room school. He graduated from Mauston High School in 1960 and pursued a career in the lab and x-ray field. He worked at Hess Memorial Hospital in Mauston and married Barbara Clawson in 1964. They had two sons, Curtis James Barrix and David Lee Barrix. He later graduated from UW Madison with a degree in accounting. He then took a position as a lab manager at Madison General Hospital.

While he was lab manager, he met his wife JoAnne (Sweo) and they married in 1980. Soon after they were married, he was promoted to administration at Madison General and earned a master's degree in business administration. From there he was hired as the administrator at Columbus Community Hospital. When the HMO of Wisconsin was formed he accepted the position of CEO. After some health issues, he and JoAnne built a log home and moved to McNaughton with plans to retire and hunt and fish.

They joined Trinity Lutheran Church in Rhinelander and Devon attended the Synod's lay school program. After serving 39 years in health care he decided to attend Luther Seminary and become an ordained pastor. He accepted a call to a two point parish in Rock and Perkins, Michigan and served there until 2010 when health issues again forced him to retire. They returned to their home in northern Wisconsin and he served as interim pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rhinelander for several months. He and JoAnne later joined Immanuel.

Since Devon and JoAnne met, they have enjoyed several passions including corvette clubs, boating on Lake Winnebago and at the age of 60 he took up riding a Harley bike. He has enjoyed cooking and reading and has loved their eight dogs through the years. He loves God, family and friends and throughout his life and many career paths has touched countless people.

He is survived by his wife JoAnne, brother Tom Barrix of Baraboo, son David (Kay) Barrix of Mt. Carmel, Ill., granddaughters Ashley Upton (Jeff) of Beaverton, Ore. and Emily White (Henry) of Suffolk, Va., great-grandson Jayden Journigan and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Gary Barrix (Linda) and Jimmy Barrix (Karen), sister-in-law Boots (Raberta) Barrix and his son, Curtis.

Visitation for Devon will be held on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024 from 9 to 11 a.m., with memorial services following at 11 a.m., all at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church. Reverend John Kuziej will be officiating. You may leave your private condolences for the Barrix family at www.calsonfh.com. There will also be a memorial established in Devon's name and any gifts may be directed to his family.

The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) is serving the Barrix family.