Kenneth Paul Barry

It is with great sadness that the family of Kenneth P. ("Dusty") Barry announces his passing from this world on August 21, 2025, ending his struggle with a combination of chronic health issues. He was 81. He leaves behind his dear wife, Sharon Brelish Barry, married February 29, 2016, of Phoenix, AZ, his daughters Libby (Barry) Souder, and husband (Frank), of Ft. Wayne, IN, and Lisa (Barry) Murphy , and husband (Ben), of Marietta, GA, as well as his stepsons Anthony Lewis of Adrian, MI, Jared Davis of Tecumseh, MI and grandchildren, Francesca Souder, Giuliana Souder, Claire Cannon, Alec Cannon, Lizzie Souder, Lila Murphy, Finn Murphy, Owen Murphy, Liam Murphy and many nieces and nephews.

Ken was the beloved, oldest brother of Thomas S. Barry (wife, Debbie), of Auburn, IN, Gery J. Barry (wife, Hollis), of Essex, CT, Richard P. Barry (wife Jody), of Zionsville, IN, and Judy C. (Barry) Marlow (husband Paul), of Auburn, IN. He was close to each, relished his time with them, and enjoyed his role as their big brother.

Ken is predeceased by his devoted, previous wife, Kathy (Smith) Barry, of Auburn, IN, by his loving parents, Kenneth E. Barry and Alelia A. (Anderson) Barry, of Garrett, IN, and by his brother, Timothy J. Barry, of Holiday Island, AR.

Ken was born a "war baby" in Boise, Idaho on May 31,1944, where his father served at the Army Air Corps base during WW II. Following the war his parents returned to Altona, IN and then to neighboring Garrett, IN, where he was raised as the oldest of six children. After graduating from Garrett High School and a short stint at Indiana University in Ft. Wayne, Ken entered the U.S. Army and served in Seoul, South Korea, during the Viet Nam War era. Upon returning home he followed his father's footsteps into the pattern making profession, whereupon he teamed up with his high school buddy, Jim Parker, also a pattern maker, to form Diversified Pattern and Engineering, a successful business based in Avilla, IN. During this time, he and his family made their home in Auburn, IN.

Upon retirement, Ken moved with Sharon to their present home in the Phoenix, AZ area, which for him was a rebirth. In time, he and Sharon also purchased property in coastal Mexico, which he also loved. Indeed, he would comment frequently on how much he enjoyed the sunsets over the ocean there, and watching the whales passing by.

All who knew Ken found him engaging, warm, and deeply caring. His many passions included owning and dealing in pre-1974 Corvettes (of which he had many over the years), coin collecting, and owning whatever antique curiosities he found interesting, such as the restored, Donald Duck bicycle from his childhood, mechanical slot machines, and even Lake Gage, IN, postcards. He enjoyed travelling, particularly to Jamaica and Las Vegas. He also enjoyed a good argument from time to time, and was a regular poster on Facebook, though it must be said that some of his opinions might have benefitted from a bit of fact-checking!

Most of all, Ken liked people, and his affability led to many friendships wherever he went. He talked, laughed and socialized with gusto. His love for people ran deep, both family and friends, and he could always be counted upon to help, however he could, whenever the chips were down. He was generous with his advice, usually valuable and welcomed, but always offered with the best of intentions.

Behind it all was his passion for living a full life, his way. His unspoken motto seems to have been, "If I've done it, you should do it; if I haven't, it's probably not worth doing!" Understanding that life is short and that our time here is precious, he made the most of it. He took no day for granted and never looked back.

He will be deeply, deeply missed.