Phillip Barry Wise

Phillip Barry Wise (September 16, 1942, to May 22, 2023)
Barry Wise was an inimitable man. He was born in Cincinnati (9/16/42), but he spent a good part of his early life at his grandparents' farm in Taylor County, Kentucky (Bonnie and Dutch Shreve), where he learned the value of hard work and exceptional love. His mother (Mildred T. Shreve) and father (Garnett A. Wise) moved to Louisville, where he went to Ellen B. Semple, Southern Junior High, and Butler High School, before he enrolled at the University of Louisville, majoring in Economics (1960-1965). In June of 1966, he married Elaine Orr, whom he met in high school. Together, they created a magical life, but not long after they married, Barry started reserve military service with the 5010th US Army Hospital unit, training at Fort Benning and Fort Stewart, Georgia. He earned his Insurance License; trained in New York to become a registered representative with Bache and Company; and earned his CFP. He ended his career as Vice President of the Louisville office of Stifel, Nicolaus and Co., but continued his service to the industry as an arbitrator with FINRA. He and his brother Rodney became owners of the family farm after the death of their parents, and it remains in the family today. He loved the farm.
He loved U of L where Elaine taught English and Humanities. He had season tickets to every sport at U of L, from the 70's through today, often accompanying Elaine to bowl games, CUSA, Big East, and ACC meetings. He loved Louisville. When he and Elaine bought a house in the Highlands, he joined the Highland Douglass Neighborhood Association and HOPOP, for which he helped raise funds in creative ways. He served on the Session as an Elder at Highland Presbyterian Church, where he remained a member until he joined the Church Triumphant (5/22/23). He earned his pilot's license and flew on weekends for years. He became a golfer late in life, enjoying the links with good friends at the Oxmoor Country Club and volunteering for PGA tournaments. He coached HYR girls T-Ball and softball teams for Amanda. He loved Sanibel-Captiva. He took annual fishing trips there with two friends, but when those ended, he kept his connection alive with friends at the Savarise Sunday Supper Club. He supported the Salvation Army, the UNCF, the Louisville Opera, the Filson Club, the University Club, Toys for Tots, Gilda's Club, and many local and national charitable efforts. He was Santa to the children at Head Start for decades. He proudly worked at the polls the week he died.
All of the facts, however, do not begin to define the man he was. He was a devoted friend to those who earned his trust. He was a generous man to those in need. He was the life-long love of his wife, Elaine. He was a devoted big brother to Rodney. He was an amazing father to his daughter Amanda, and a father figure to a young man from Denmark whom he thought of as family, Peter Preisler. He walked Amanda down the aisle to marry a young man he thought of as a son, Greg Agami. Most of all, he was an adoring grandfather to Matthew and Audrey Agami. Their love gave him inspiration, joy, and abiding happiness.
And he was just plain fun. His jokes were plentiful and bold. His knowledge of history and its arcane facts, as well as his wit, were legendary. His sensitivity was deep. His heart and his word were golden.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Elaine; brother Rodney Wise and his wife Jan; daughter Amanda Wise Agami and her husband Greg; and grandchildren Matthew and Audrey Agami; Peter Preisler, with Melissa, Sophia, Jackson, and Anabel; Scott Maier, nephew; his dog Rosey and her friend Evie; and family and friends from Cincinnati, Taylor County, Elizabethtown, Arlington Heights, U of L, and Louisville.
The family welcomes friends on Sunday, May 28th from 1 to 4 pm at Pearson's, 149 Breckenridge Lane Louisville, KY 40207. The funeral service will be held on Monday, May 29th at 10 am, at Pearson's, followed by interment at Cave Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Barry and his family would appreciate a donation to the Salvation Army, Kentucky & Tennessee Division, 216 W. Chestnut Street 40202 or to the fund he established at U of L: the Wise Humanities Endowment. Checks to the latter should be made out to the U of L Foundation, Wise Enrichment Fund on the memo line, and mailed to University of Louisville, Inc., PO Box 772050, Chicago, IL 60677-2050; or use this direct link to donate: https://give.louisville.edu/wise.
Arrangements under the direction of Pearson's. "Where Louisville Goes To Remember".