Barry Bowers Blocker

1938 - 2023

Barry Bowers Blocker - March 17, 1938 – May 13, 2023. Barry Bowers Blocker, 85, passed away peacefully at home on May 13, 2023, surrounded by most of his family. He died as he lived: on his own terms. To say he is deeply missed is an understatement. The youngest of two sons born to Webster and Myrtle Bowers Blocker in New Orleans, Barry was a true Southern charmer with an accent to prove it. He was a gifted athlete who had a lifelong passion for sports and admiration for his older brother. He attended Warren Easton High School, where he lettered in both football – his first love – and baseball, all while working at his father's feed store. Upon graduation, Barry played football for the legendary Bear Bryant at Texas A&M University and took the field just one year after the infamous "Junction Boys." He transferred to Louisiana State University after sustaining a football injury. There, he earned both BA and MBA degrees and met the love of his life, Kay Fisher Blocker. They married just before his senior year and after graduation, he joined Monsanto Company and became a father to Brad, the oldest of his five sons. Barry and Kay moved around frequently, as he ascended the corporate ladder with Monsanto. Initially, they lived in Luling, LA, where they welcomed another son, Todd, and subsequently moved to El Dorado, AK, where Chris, their third boy, was born. While in El Dorado, Barry was integral in implementing Affirmative Action and embracing equity in the Monsanto chemical plant where he oversaw personnel. It was the late 1960s and his was an extremely progressive stance – one that he firmly believed in, was extremely proud of and that truly underpinned his strength of character. With his work ethic came promotions, which led the family to move to St. Louis, MO and subsequently, West Des Moines, IA. In 1970, he was recruited by his very first plant manager at Monsanto to serve as Vice President for Commercial Solvents Corporation in Terre Haute, IN. After much success and rounding out their family with two more sons, Scot and Brian, Barry and Kay seized an opportunity in 1976 to move the family to their now-long-time home in Portola Valley, CA when Barry was tapped to be Vice President of McKesson Chemical Company in San Francisco. He retired from McKesson as President and, still full of energy and ideas, became an entrepreneur, founding an environmental engineering company, Exceltech. He negotiated the sale of Exceltech to Ensco Environmental Systems, where he remained an active member of its Board of Directors. Barry's other significant ventures included founding the Rocky Mountain Methane Company to drill for natural gas and serving as Chairman of the Board for the California Sun Dry Tomato Company. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Barry maintained an avid passion for sports and recreational activities with his boys and traveling extensively with Kay and many of their dear friends and family. He was always up for a game of basketball or a round of golf with his sons and their friends. He loved riding his horses through Portola Valley, serving as a Marshall at the U.S. Open Tournament at the Olympic Club, sailing with his brother and friends, snow skiing and enjoying the family home at Northstar-at-Tahoe and waterskiing, captaining Kay's Party Barge, and hosting friends and family – or just hanging alone – while drinking Stoli at his "Bachelor Pad" on Lake Tulloch. By far, Barry's biggest source of pride was his family. He loved them dearly and, while he was always a demanding presence, he was fiercely protective of Kay, extremely proud of his sons, their wives, his 11 beautiful grandchildren and precious great-grandchildren. (Additionally, several family dogs, including his pack of black Labs – Casey, Delta, Dixie and Pepper – each held a special place in his heart.) Barry is preceded in death by his parents and beloved stepmother Lucille McMahon Blocker, brother Dr. Donald R. Blocker and his firstborn son, Brad Blocker. He is survived by his wife of almost 65 years, Kay; sons Todd, Chris (Katie), Scot (Julie), Brian (Kristy) and Brad's widow, Denise Lautmann; grandchildren Lauren Tyndall (Bill), Jessica Blocker (Luis Revilla) and Ryan, Tyler, Amanda, Nicholas, Thomas, Matthew, Timothy, Gus and Ashley Blocker, as well as great-grandchildren Liam Tyndall, Olivia Revilla and many adoring nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends. A private celebration of life is planned to honor Barry's life and legacy. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Barry's name to the Boys and Girls Club of America or your favorite charity.