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Barry Eiland Obituary

Barry Bedford Eiland On January 7, 2014, Barry Bedford Eiland passed away peacefully in Houston, Texas, after a lengthy battle with a degenerative brain disease. Arrangements for a memorial service are pending.
Barry was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on December 19, 1946 to Doris Palmer Eiland and B.B. Eiland. Barry grew up in Shreveport, graduating from C.E. Byrd High School in 1964. He graduated from Louisiana Tech in 1968 with a B.S. in Mathematics.
After graduation, Barry married Marilyn Givens, also of Shreveport. The couple moved to Houston pursuing his desire to work with NASA in the space program. He worked for TRW and then IBM in support of the Apollo program and the space shuttle. He later worked in IBM's consulting and project management group, retiring from IBM in 2006.
Barry's life for 60 years was full. He was blessed with many friends and a quick wit. He loved golf, music, dancing, travel, hiking and backpacking. At the age of twelve he won the Shreveport Junior Golf Championship. As a young man, Barry was a scratch golfer and carried a single digit handicap into retirement. As a teenager, he once snuck into a James Brown concert in Shreveport, ignoring the racial division of the times, and ended the evening shaking the performer's hand. In addition, Barry's voice is found on one track of a Residents album. Barry enjoyed so many treks with his friends into many of the mountain ranges in America. Among many outdoor adventures, he and Marilyn shot the rapids through the Grand Canyon and packed into the Smokey Mountains for days. His library was filled with every kind of music and with photographs of his trips with Marilyn and friends at home and abroad.
Barry is survived by his wife Marilyn, brother, Palmer Eiland of Fayetteville, Arkansas, brother-in-law Tim Givens and his wife Lynne of Shreveport, sister-in-law Carol Givens Hamilton of Webster, and three nephews. The family wishes to acknowledge the tireless and caring support provided to Barry by Lathy Jetton, his caregiver for five years. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration or to the charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Houston Chronicle on Jan. 11, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Barry Eiland

24 Entries

Sissy

April 12, 2022

Barry was such a nice guy. A photo from the time he volunteered to be the designated driver when the ladies went to the REM concert. [Cyndy, Barry, Sissy, Connie]

Constance Steed

January 5, 2021

Barry was my coworker, my boss, my mentor, my drinking buddy and most of all my very good friend... I still miss him!!

Ted Wade

January 5, 2020

While we had great times in school, I did not get to be with him nearly enough later on . I wish we could have hooped together, backpacked and skied more, recorded some tunes. I could have used a lot more Barry in my life. Listen to old albums by James Brown, Bobby Bland, Ray Charles. He knew every word, every cry and moan. An accomplished, fun-loving, gentlemanly prince of a friend.

Tommy Lewis

February 1, 2014

Marilyn, I was so sorry to hear about Barry's illness and recent passing. I have very fond memories of the two of you from the early days, as valued members of the original group of friends I hung out with. Barry was a bright guy with a terrific sense of humor; I always really enjoyed being around him. May God be with you and the rest of the family during this difficult time.

Celia Milner

January 31, 2014

I was saddened to hear of Barry's passing but know how a long illness can take its toll. I heard "The Talking Heads" about a week before he passed and a big smile came across my face. Carry on "Maestro Air Guitarist" - they will probably love your music up there as much as we did here. God Bless you Marilyn & Carol.

Barry's Golf Teammates

January 19, 2014

Although I miss Barry terribly; like all of us, I am blessed to have so many wonderful and cherished memories involving Barry. He was the social catalyst for many of us and introduced me to all of his many friends. I had hoped to share many golfing rounds in retirement with Barry but God had different plans for Barry. Barry was the reliable one on the many golfing championship teams we formed at IBM. In all those golfing years, Barry never mentioned his Shreveport championship but he always played like one. I do feel the publish obituary omitted one key part, Barry IS the greatest air guitarist I've ever seen. Barry - PARTY ON ! We all miss you.

Ron McCain

January 15, 2014

So sorry to hear of Barry's passing. I have many wonderful memories of Barry as a work colleague and friend. My prayers and best wishes to the family during this difficult time.

January 13, 2014

I am very sorry to hear of Barry's suffering and though I've been gone from work a long time - I do remember Barry. It sounds as though the memories you've made together are special ones and I'm sure he had fun making them! That photo is just the way I remember him!

Liz Poje

January 13, 2014

Barry will always be our favorite Music Man. The world is better place because he was here. Our deepest sympathy for Marilyn who not only lost her partner in life but her best friend! We will miss him so.

Cheryl Sledge

January 13, 2014

I met Barry early in my career at the Space Park location. He was always a pleasant man. My prayers for his family.

Dollye Scruggs

January 12, 2014

Dear Marilyn and Carol,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. May you feel God's loving arms wrapped around you during this difficult time of sorrow.

Lynne Hancock Christ

January 12, 2014

Peace and God's speed Barry. My very best to Marilyn.

Billy McCalla

January 12, 2014

Worked with Barry several years. Great guy to be around and work with.

Marilyn, Please accept my deepest sympathies.

Jack Clemons

January 12, 2014

So, so sorry to hear about this. I worked with Barry at TRW and IBM and found him to be a terrific teammate and a wonderful person. My deepest sympathy to Barry's wife and family

Lee Jolley Teston

January 11, 2014

Thoughts and prayers to Marilyn and family.

Climbing the First Flatiron, Boulder, CO

January 11, 2014

Ted, Homer, Barry, top of Mt Evans, Colorado

Ted Wade

January 11, 2014

Barry was smart, fun-loving, and deep. He had a rich life and deserved a lot more of it.

Albert Kuhn

January 11, 2014

Barry was always good to work with and to be around.

Dan Kemp

January 11, 2014

A smile always came to my face when I ran across Barry in our NASA work on the Space Shuttle Project. I so enjoyed my work relationship with him. He had technical and relationship "credibility". I looked forward to our "noon recess" from work when we played basketball. In this venue, Barry made famous the adage, "Don't ask how; ask how many." Peace, my old friend.

Kerry Davidson

January 11, 2014

Prayers to Marilyn and family. I fondly remember the many years of working with Barry at IBM. There were plenty of laughs to make the work more enjoyable and hours of committed effort to produce quality results for IBM. We also competed in IBM intramural sports like basketball, tennis, and golf. Barry was nearly always the winner but he was a gracious winner.

Connie Steed

January 11, 2014

I have a lot of wonderful memories of Barry as co-worker, employee, and most of all friend. I will always think of him when I hear Talking Heads, drink beer at Carlos, or see anyone else air guitaring. I will miss him greatly!!!

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