Joel Fitzpatrick Barry

Joel Fitzpatrick Barry

1990 – 2025

SIOUX CITY - Joel Fitzpatrick Barry, 35, of Sioux City, Iowa (formerly of Danbury) passed away on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, at his residence.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Danbury. Father William A. McCarthy & Father Richard D. Ball are officiating. Committal services will follow in the Danbury Catholic Cemetery of Danbury.

A Visitation will be held from 5-7:30 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Danbury.

The family kindly requests that you wear attire representing one of Joel’s favorite sports teams or opt for casual dress, in honor of his memory.

The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com 

Joel Fitzpatrick Barry was welcomed into this world on May 10, 1990, by his mother, Jean Barry. He passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025.

In April of 1992, Joel was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma. He endured a year of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries, ultimately becoming a childhood cancer survivor.

Joel’s adventurous spirit began early, traveling with his grandpa to deliver parts and trucks often visiting various establishments along the way. He attended Danbury Catholic School and graduated with the Class of 2009 from MVAO High School. While in high school, Joel participated all four years in choir and wrestling, likely the only wrestler who had to gain weight to compete at 103 lbs. all four years.

Joel continued his education at Western Iowa Tech Community College, studying retail sales. He was employed at Walmart and Hy-Vee before beginning his career with Old Dutch Foods. He initially worked out of Cedar Rapids, traveling to fill empty routes.

In 2020, Joel moved to Sioux City to run his own route with Old Dutch Foods. Always ready for an adventure, Joel loved attending concerts, golfing, traveling, and cheering on his favorite teams the Green Bay Packers, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Iowa State Cyclones, Minnesota Twins, and Iowa Hawkeyes. If it meant an outing with friends, Joel was all in.

Joel was a friend to everyone and made lasting connections wherever he went. Along with countless friends, he was blessed to gain several sets of surrogate parents who loved him as their own.

Survivors include his mother Jean Barry of Danbury; his uncle Bob (Pam) Barry; aunts Betsy (Larry) Hubert, Kathy (Rick) Friedman; cousins: Clayton (Randi) Hubert, Michael (Kiki) Hubert, Kelsey (Aaron) Hagan, Charlie (Tessa) Hubert, Dani (Andrew) Block, Ross (Chey) Friedman, Barry Friedman, Meg (Rob) Hill, Pat (Monica) Ferdig, Lindsey (Jeremy) Cisco, “Uncle Chops” (Jean) Barry, and Brian Barry.  

Joel was preceded in death by his grandparents Tom and Pat Barry; and Uncle Dan Barry.