Barry Wayne Whelchel (Hudson), age 75, a longtime resident of Kearny, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2021, while a resident at Desert Haven Care Center in Phoenix, Arizona, where he received excellent care. He was born on September 25, 1946, in Santa Rita, New Mexico to William Homer Whelchel and Patricia Anne Cross Whelchel.

Anyone that knew Barry knew of his passion for fishing.  He first found his love for fishing while living in Ilo, Peru, going out on the fishing boats. Barry did not know a stranger, whether it be a person or an animal, they all came home with him.

Barry was preceded in death by his parents, William and Patricia Hudson and William and June Whelchel, and a sister, Georgia Carroll.  Barry is survived by his sisters, Marie Nichols, Vicki Palmer, Nikki Rawson (Rusty), Rose Horner, Patti Goodridge (Bob), Melissa Metz (Carl), Gina Henry (Stephen) and two brothers, William Hudson (Rocio) and Randy Ledbetter (Patty) and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.