Barbara Joan Gose (Barnhard)

Barbara Joan (Barnhard) Gose, 88, of Independence, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 4, 2015 at NorthCare Hospice in Kansas City. She was born in Independence, Missouri, on August 17, 1927, to the late Milo and Mary (Hansen) Barnhard. Barbara’s early years were spent in Idaho. Her family eventually returned to Independence where she graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1945. Barbara attended Graceland College and graduated from the University of Missouri at Kansas City with a degree in Pharmacy in 1951. She spent the first 14 years of her career working at Fox Drug Store in Raytown. After her two sons were born she worked as a relief pharmacist in Missouri and Kansas and “retired” after 62 years in the profession. For the last several years of her career Barbara proudly held the distinction of being the oldest practicing female pharmacist in the state of Missouri. Barbara married Warren Gose on December 26, 1960, and they spent over 53 loving years together. For 15 years Barbara faithfully and attentively cared for Warren after he suffered a severe stroke shortly after his retirement. She was a devout student of the Bible and a lifelong and stalwart member of the Community of Christ church where she served in numerous youth and women’s leadership positions, faithfully serving in the office of priest, and serving as a delegate for international church governance conferences on many occasions. Barbara was a dedicated participant in Church Women United, a member of the American Association of University Women, and oversaw the local food pantry. For many years Barbara volunteered as a counselor for Camp Quality, serving children with cancer both in the United States and Australia. Over the course of four decades Barbara served as a pharmacist on medical missions to Honduras and Guatemala and held a special fondness for the people of Central America. Indeed, Barbara was an avid traveler having visited over 75 countries and six continents during her life. One of the few unchecked items on Barb’s list of aspirations was a cruise to Antarctica of which she often spoke. Had her vision not declined in her later years she surely would have ventured near the South Pole. Always an avid sports fan, Barbara cheered for all Kansas City teams. She was a curator of friendships, frequently visiting and corresponding with people next door and around the globe. Throughout her adult life she was a benefactor for numerous students helping them to realize their secondary and higher education goals. Charity, selfless giving, and service to others were her life’s pleasures. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Kenneth and Milo Barnhard Jr.; husband, Warren; and daughter, Amy (Gose) Wilcoxson. She leaves behind son, Peter Gose (Tracey); and grandchildren, Grant, Gillian and Graham all of Parkville, MO; son, Christopher Gose (Michelle); grandchildren, Vanessa, Hannah, and Jack, all of Holladay, UT; grandson, Christian Wilcoxson of Omaha, NE; sister, Judith Spillman (Pat); nephews Bill, Dwight, and David Barnhard, and countless friends. The family will hold a visitation from 1:00-2:00pm on Sunday, November 8th at the Woods Chapel Community of Christ, 500 NE Woods Chapel Rd., Lee’s Summit. A memorial service will follow at 2:00pm. Inurnment at Mound Grove Cemetery will take place at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed at www.SpeaksChapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to HealthEd Connect; 1401 West Truman Road, Independence, MO 64050. HealthEd Connect is a highly regarded non-profit organization dedicated to the empowerment of women and children through evidence-based health, education, and advocacy programs, all ideals were dear to Barbara’s heart. (Arr: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)