Michael David Barrus Jr.

Michael D. Barrus Jr.
1980 ~ 2025
Michael David Barrus Jr., age 45, of Kingston, RI, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, May 29, 2025, surrounded by the family he loved.
Michael was born on May 14, 1980, in Provo, Utah, to Michael David Barrus and Sandy (Matheson) Barrus. Michael spent most of his childhood in Alpine, Utah surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins with whom he built cherished memories. He loved to spend time with his parents and siblings traveling, making music, and chatting around the kitchen table, laughing and often quoting from favorite family movies. He appreciated good jokes and had a gift for finding the humor in everyday situations.
Michael was a lifelong, dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From 1999 to 2001, he served as a full-time missionary for the Church in the Brazil Campinas Mission, an experience that grounded his lifelong commitment to service, compassion, and spiritual growth. He held numerous callings in the Church, including counselor in a bishopric, high councilor, ward clerk, and most recently, Primary teacher and ward organist. His favorite was being the Primary pianist.
Michael had a keen mind and a passion for mathematics, which he shared with his wife, Michelle Kitchen Barrus. They met in a math class while students at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and were married in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on August 13, 2003. He earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Illinois, where the couple welcomed their first two children, Kathryn (Katy) and Abigail Jean Barrus in 2005 and 2008, respectively. He then went on to become a passionate math educator, first at Black Hills State University in South Dakota, where they welcomed son Lincoln Michael Barrus in 2011, then at Brigham Young University, and finally at the University of Rhode Island. He was deeply respected by colleagues and students for his insight, humility, and genuine care for others.
Michael's love for math was matched by his deep interest in history–especially family history–and his lifelong pursuit of learning. He was an avid reader and loved literature. He taught his children to love books as well, reading with them every night for many years and taking them to the library on special outings. He was a man of quiet strength and faith who pursued peace through challenges, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and, more recently, cancer.
He found strength and community through running, particularly with the RAMMS Running Group, part of the MS community. He also found solace and joy in music, especially while playing the piano, frequently filling his home with a variety of spiritual and classical music, movie and musical soundtracks, and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.
Above all, Michael loved his family. His greatest joy came from the life he built with Michelle and their three beloved children: Katy, Abigail, and Lincoln. He spent many hours playing Minecraft and other games, attending symphony concerts, and providing computer programming support. He was their steady guide, gentle encourager, and unconditional source of love.
Michael's two-year cancer journey was supported by many compassionate nurses. He often spoke of his chemo nurses, Caryn and Jenn, and how well they took care of him. The family thanks all involved for their care.
In addition to his wife, children, and parents, Michael is survived by his five siblings: Megan Navarro and her husband Andrew, John Barrus, Zachary Barrus and his wife Elizabeth, Emery Zane Barrus and his wife Natasha, and Trevor Barrus; and many, many in-laws, nephews, and nieces, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.
Funeral services for Michael will be held in both Rhode Island and Utah. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Tuesday evening, June 3, 2025, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Fagan-Quinn Funeral Home of Patrick Quinn Funerals & Cremations, 825 Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown. The Rhode Island service will be held the following day, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 1240 Boston Neck Road, Narragansett, Rhode Island.
The services in Utah will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 10 a.m. in the Mapleton 12th Ward Chapel, located at 2557 Dalton Drive, Springville, Utah 84663. Family and friends are invited to attend a viewing Wednesday evening, from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Warenski Funeral Home, located at 1776 North 900 East, American Fork, Utah and also at an additional viewing on Thursday morning from 9:00-9:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Interment will follow services at the Mapleton City Cemetery.
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