James Throckmorton

About a year before Barry's death and after his diagnosis of terminal cancer,  a Rockhurst buddy  of Barry's  told Barry that  I was his dentist.   Then commenced a totally delightful exchange of several letters reminding me and revealing to me what a special person he was.  He was brave in war, daring in life, and loving of his wife , and somehow maintained a peaceful,sensitive, and even humourous attitude to the end.

My first memory of Barry was our Sophomore year in our first JV Football practice.  The arrival of "Irish" and his Bishop Hogan friend Frank Tutera totally changed the picture for our decent Freshman team that would now be transformed into a JV  Interscholatic  Champion and 2 years later  the Varsity Champs.  Barry  was a natural  leader not only because of his ability, but also his  speak ing out about what was right and wrong with our team. He was totally in charge in the defensive huddle, and I'll never forget when he told me to shut up  because I was way too psyched up.  Coming from Barry it really got  me in a better place mentally  so  myself and my teammates would play our best  game and defeat the Central HS Blue Eagles to become Champions.

Thanks, Barry

Jim Throckmorton

Donald Winett

I didn't know of Barry's death until now. So sad to find out that he died so young. I remember him as such a nice guy. Fun to be around.

Carole Kidwell (Wall-Simmons)

Barry and I stayed dear friends for MANY years. We went to college together and did something together most afternoons until one morning my junior year he came by my sorority house  to tell me he was going in the service. We had a tearful evening that night - I felt like a part of me - my brother - was leaving.  I remember he gave me a cool stuffed bear because I always called him "Bear".  He wrote often but I still missed him so much - as did most of the girls on campus -all of whom had major crushes on him:)

About four years later, Tom Wall and I went to a party - but everyone kept it from me that Barry had gotten home that day and would be at the party. Wow -how wonderful seeing him again.  Then when he went to Hawaii - I was teaching -  he would call every other weekend. We talked about Penny (his wife), my relationships, my teaching, his real estate business - we joked, we laughed,  but we also had many very deep conversations. Barry was briliant and so insightful. He guided me through many rough times. Barry was always the caretaker - with his family and friends. He moved his parents to Hawaii into a beautiful condoHe came back to visit twice during that time - I remember the first time he had on a 3-piece black suit and looked like an incrediby handsome version of Don Ho:)

Our calls continued on a regular basis,  but he never told me he was ill. Not sure he even told Penny for awhile. However I could tell in our phone conversations something was very different - he was even more philosophical, more concerned about others.

Then one evening Wally Morgan, his best friend, called and told me Barry was gone.  No words for how I felt. Several months later Penny came to Kansas City to see Wally. She was beautiful,charming and everything Barry said she was and everything he deserved.

Barbara Paskins (Talman)

I did not know Barry, but Carole's tribute and memory of him is an outstanding tribute to him.  So sorry he passed away at a young age.