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Barry Chinn
Reverend Barry William Chinn of Del Valle, Texas passed away on September 5, 2021, at the age of 72. He was born in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 1949. Because Barry's father, Major Theodore M. Chinn (ret), was stationed in numerous locations around the globe as an Air Force officer in the Strategic Air Command, Barry graduated from high school in England in 1967. He graduated from Lakenheath High School, where he broke his high school's record running the 880. He attended the University of Texas and was on their first rugby team. He was also a member of the UT APO Service Organization, where his duties included carrying the enormous Texas flag onto the field during home football games, a great joy of his. Barry was ordained to the gospel ministry at First Baptist Church, Dripping Springs, Texas in 1971. He transferred to (Southwest) Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, where he met his future wife, Winnell. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973 from SWTSU and then attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He and Winnell were married in 1976, and Barry received his Master of Divinity degree in 1977. Brother Barry, as he preferred to be called, pastored churches in Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, and Virginia. Locally, he pastored Woodlawn Baptist Church in Austin from 1998 to 2006, when he then founded the Cowboy Church of Travis County, now Brushwood Cowboy Church. Barry was active in many aspects of the local communities where he pastored, such as the Lions Club. He served on the Board of Trustees for the Highland Lakes Baptist Encampment as well as Children at Heart Ministries in Round Rock. He was also active in state and national ministries. At the invitation of then Congressman Newt Gingrich of Georgia, Rev. Chinn delivered the opening invocation for a session of the US House of Representatives in 1992. He also delivered invocations at several sessions of the Texas State Senate in Austin. Barry has always loved the cowboy culture, having raised longhorns for many years. He often took his saddle-trained longhorns to vacation Bible schools and elementary schools, as well as to the annual cowboy breakfast to kick off Rodeo Austin every year. He loved ministering from the saddle, riding up Congress Avenue during the Texas Independence Day parades. Barry had many hobbies other than his beloved longhorns. He raised and raced homing pigeons. He loved playing and watching sports, being an avid golfer. He was a model railroad enthusiast. Under the name of Alamo Bill, Barry enjoyed participating in cowboy action shooting events. Barry's love for his Lord and family was always evident. He loved talking to people about how animals and nature point them to God. He loved sharing his faith with them any time, any place. He loved bragging about his family. Barry was preceded in death by his father, Major Theodore M. Chinn (ret), and his mother, Mary Jewel Fauver Chinn. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Winnell Nolden Chinn; daughter Cheryl Chinn Mikell and husband Jeremy; son Aaron Chinn and wife Maria; two granddaughters, Carter Mikell and Savannah Mikell; three brothers, Ron Chinn, and wife Liz; Tim Chinn and wife Teresa; Ted Chinn and wife Ruth; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation will be held from 4:30pm-6:30pm on Friday, September 17 at Harrell Funeral Home of Austin. Services celebrating his life will follow 10:00am, Saturday, September 18, at Woodlawn Baptist Church. Masks will be required for services. To watch a livestream of the service, please click https://vimeo.com/605748322/4191e26301 Memorial donations may be made to: Highland Lakes Baptist Encampment hlccc.org Children at Heart Ministries cahm.org Miracle Farm miraclefarm.org PSP.org (This organization researches cures for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, the disease that robbed Barry of his speech and mobility.)April 4, 1949 - September 5, 202104/04/194909/05/2021
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