Barry is survived by his wife, Melinda Nabors Davenport; daughter, Jessica Davenport Lenhart (Brian) of Mullica Hill, NJ; son, Barry K. Davenport of Wescosville, PA, (and their mother, Marilyn Koster Davenport); daughter, Sadie Dunn, of Nashville, TN; daughter Chloe Davenport, of Murfreesboro, TN; sister, Kathy Davenport Picarski (Stan); brother, Michael Davenport (Sue) from Pittston, ME; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and special friends, whom he held dear.
Barry was born in New London, Connecticut. His family lived in Illinois and Virginia before settling in Quincy, Massachusetts. He attended Quincy High School. After graduation, he began work at John Hancock Insurance Company. Later, he served in the United States Navy and earned a Bachelor's degree and a Master of Science in Social Work. He started his long career in support of others as a counselor at Reading Hospital, in Pennsylvania. He went on to become a counselor at Wiley House (later referred to as KidsPeace), an organization that cared for children, adolescents, and families in crisis. Barry was employed at KidsPeace for 27 years. He concluded his time there in management of Clinical Services.
Barry shared a private practice with his wife, Melinda, for 11 years, in which they provided counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. He was a Court-Appointed Evaluator and Expert Witness, as he assessed individuals in the criminal justice system to determine their likelihood of rehabilitation. He worked at Lehigh Valley Hospital in the Children and Adult Psychiatric Department, providing out-patient counseling to many.
Barry was a kind, gentle person who put others at ease. He, readily, accepted others, just as they were. Many found healing through knowing him.
Barry was an avid tennis player, competing in singles and doubles league tournaments. He was a life-long learner of just about any topic, with amazing recall for history, culture, philosophy, and religion. His life was guided by a quiet and devout pursuit of God. He cared about social justice and human rights.
Barry was a loving husband and a dedicated father and grandfather with a knack for story-telling and making everything fun. In recent years, he most loved spending time with his love, Melinda, walking his dogs (Fenway and Lucy) and spending time with his cat, Sassy (a faithful companion), fishing, playing the harmonica and guitar, listening to music (especially Blues, Jazz, and Bluegrass), wood-working, drawing, chocolate milkshakes, refurbishing classic cars, and taking-in lakeside sunsets. The world is a better place from Barry being in it. May we bring to memory the way that he lived and loved . . . and may he forever Rest in Peace.
There will be a PRIVATE Family Gathering to celebrate Barry's life on Saturday, April 3, 2021. The PUBLIC is invited to a time of visitation with the family, from 2:30pm - 4:30pm, at a private residence: 3759 Saundersville Ferry Road, Mount Juliet, TN 37122.
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