Cathy Barnum

06/18/1961 · 12/06/1994
33 Years

Cathy was born on Father's Day in Dallas, TX. She was a beautiful baby, a wonderful gift from God, who grew into a beautiful woman. She moved to Panhandle, TX, in 1976, then to Amarillo in 1980. On January 10, 1981, she married Barak Barnum; and they had turbulent days in their stormy marriage. They had three sons: Jarod, Ryan, and Bradly Barnum. The day Barak was released from drug rehab he called Cathy's attorney to ask if she had filed for a divorce, and he confirmed that she had. When she arrived home around 4:45 p.m., she intended to drop off Jarod and leave. He asked her to go inside, so she did. Barak followed her to the master bedroom, and the boys went outside to play. While they were outside their Dad was strangling their Mother to death. Then he took the boys to McDonalds for take-out. They brought the food home to eat and before they were finished, Barak took the boys into the bedroom and told them to look at their mother. The boys later testified that "the covers were pulled up to her chin. And her lips were purple." They did not know she was dead at that time. Barak made pallets in the living room, and after they were all asleep he got rid of Cathy's body and her car. She was found lying face down in a field on April 5, 1995. Barak was tried and found guilty, then sentenced to 40 years in 1998. He filed for an appeal, and the case was overturned. Another trial, another Jury found him guilty again and sentenced him to 35 years in 2001. Cathy was loved tremendously and is missed by her family; she was 33, too young to die. She is survived by her three sons; two sisters, Brenda Howard & Charlene Wadley; mother and step-dad, Jackie & Tommy Bolden, all of Amarillo; and her Dad, David Cox of Garland, TX. We will never forget you and hope to meet you in Heaven one day.

 

Return to the Memorial Wall