Louis S Barkley
August 2, 1921 - August 18, 2016
Obituary
Louis S Barkley, 95, died Thursday 18, 2016 at the Swedish Cherry Hill Medical Center in Seattle following a stroke. He leaves his two sons, Dennis Barkley of Longview, WA & Jerry Barkley of Shoreline, WA. Eight grandchildren; and many close friends. He was born and raised in Seattle. In his early years, Louis worked in a neighborhood market as a delivery boy, worked his way up to store manager. Prior to World War Two he was employed at Boeing. He married Jean and had a son, Dennis, in 1943 and was later divorced. He then joined the Army, where he was a stationed in Germany, and where he met Marylou. They married and had a son, Robert, who was born in Germany. Lou and Marylou returned to the States and settled in the Greenwood area of Seattle. In 1949 they bought the family home on 76th Northwest, had their second son Jerry in 1954 and lived there for 66 years. Lou took a position with Pacific Norhwest Bell – ATT and worked there for 35 years. Lou enjoyed Home Improvements & was always tinkering, designing and building. He built an overhead teletype projector for the war room, many phone systems for disabled people, designing and building an electric wheel chair for a Doctor with Polio – diagnosing western electric phones. His hobbies included; wood working, carving, glass etching, egg engraving, knitting machine, and drawing. Lou enjoyed sports and was a little league coach in the 1960’s, he enjoyed watching the Mariners & Seahawks. Lou lived a healthy lifestyle and always talking about juicing. He still regulary atteded gym in his 80’s. Lou’s love for Marylou enabled him to be her caretaker until her passing at 89 years of age. Lou had many Great smiles & Lou-isum’s: “Slow and steady,” “Getting old aint for sissies,” “Still kick’in just not that high,” and “Give her squeeze for me.”
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to:
Greenwood Senior Center
525 N 85th St
Seattle,WA 98103
(206) 297-0875
Th thing I remember most about Lou was his ever-present smile.
After that, I remember his “Lou-isms.”
He will be greatly missed at our monthly breakfasts.
It was always a pleasure to share the monthly breakfasts with Lou and to experience his positive attitude in providing a well thought out solution for any of the challenges offered to him requiring a mechanical, electrical, or personal remedy. He was a great example to all of his telephone associates.
Curt
Lou you will be missed.
We Love you.
I’ve know Lou since 1987. He was an awesome man with strong morals and family commitment. I will truly miss our Friday dinners, conversation and the many stories Lou had to share.