Colonel John Nichols Barley, USAF (retired), 90, Bedford, Texas, died Sept. 15, 2010.

Burial with full military honors will be Thursday, Sept. 23 at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Scot. Father Darrin May, Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church will conduct the graveside service.

“Nick” was born August 16, 1920 in Mildred, to John William and Hallie Nichols Barley. He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Budd in Chanute on Dec. 27, 1944.

Col. Barley flew many combat missions in the South Pacific during World War II, taught ROTC at the University of Kansas, was a hurricane hunter stationed in Bermuda, earned the status of command pilot, retiring in 1971 as Director of Information for Second Air Force.

Col. Barley is survived by three children, Mary Lee Graham and husband, John, Manhattan, Stephen W. Barley and wife, Shaun, Southlake, Texas , and Elizabeth Ann May and husband, Tad, Houston, Texas; six grandchildren, Jeff Graham, Patrick Barley, Nichols Graham, Ashley Barley Cunningham, Collin May, and Lex May; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann Barley, and two sisters, Betty Horn and Grace Barley.

Should friends desire, memorials may be directed to the SPCA of Dallas, Texas or the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Memphis, Tenn.

J.E. Foust & Son Funeral Directors, Grapevine, is in charge of arrangements.