Family & Friends:
Thank You all so very much for the kind words after the sudden and tremendous loss of our beloved Barry. As you can imagine, personally, it's very hard for me to convey the depth of my sorrow, or to describe how much I miss my brother. 
We are so proud of Barry's many accomplishments, his wife Carol's great life together & for bringing into the world their loving children, and their grandchildren, plus all the great family memories they created, too. As you all know, he was such a wonderful, funny and talented guy, as well as, one of the most unselfish persons you'd ever met. Everyday, coping with his passing is so difficult but reading your words of comfort and support really helps a great deal. I deeply appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers.

For some reason my first post was not approved, so I will try and post something again. 

Even three weeks after his passing, I still picked up the phone to call him as I always did on Saturday mornings when he was not with me and Katie... just to check in and say hi. I miss him so very much. He was my best friend... would let me cry and get out all my frustrations and in turn he would cry and let out his frustrations with me. Our talks always came back to family in one way or another. You were my glue dad... my daughters second father "Papa". I love you dad, I hope you knew that... I knew you loved me and all of us... (our family).

Dear Chris,Alicia,Nathaniel,& Tyler,
I still can't get over the shock of losing Barry so suddenly at such a young age. He was a talented Architect and designer and had so much creativity to offer. But more important, he was a loving Father, who would do anything and everything for his children and grand children. 
As a fellow Architecture student at A&M and with a professional relationship for almost 40 years, I will miss him greatly. Not only as a good friend but as a trusted partner and design consultant. Over the years we worked together at Goleman & Rolf, Newhaus & Taylor and then 3D/International. Our paths crossed less over the middle years but we always remained friends. A continuing tie was our use of Mac Computers and VectorWorks CAD program. The last 10 years we worked together on several Church projects and especially Carby Chapel at Lutherhill outside of LaGrange, Tx. This was our best project and I know Barry made it a success. His design legacy will live on through the  presence of God that many teen & adult campers have experienced during a sunset worship service in the Chapel. I will think of him every time I look at the perfect 'chip board' model the he put together.
I can only imagine your pain in losing your Dad. I know he and Carol are now together and with the Lord Jesus Christ. Judy and I were moved by the beautiful service. The message by the Fire Dept. Chaplin was a celebration of his life. I know Barry would be so  proud of his kids. Your testimony to your dad was moving and each one had something special to offer.
As you continue your journey in life, I know you each will carry some of his optimism and good will. 
God's Blessing to you all.

Dear Whitehead Family, I met Mr. Whitehead at his community's Splash Day several years ago. I work for the managing firm for his community. He was always such a joy to talk to and he knew everyone. Likewise, everyone knew him. It has saddened me and my family that you guys lost such a wonderful person. He spoke very highly of his family ALWAYS. Please accept our deepest sympathies.

Sincerely,
Samara (Sam) Drayden
Marshall Management Group Inc.

Dear Chris,

I know this is going to sound odd, but I think I went to High School with you...  My dad told me that your father passed and I just wanted to tell you how sad I was to hear that.  I am truly sorry for your loss.

Sincerely,
Cara Grausam (Whitehead)

Chris,Alicia,Nathaniel, & Tyler,
I wish I had more memories of your dad than I do.Your Uncle Ken & I are about the same age so your dad was always moving in different age circles than we were.
One thing I do remember is his delightful laugh and sense of humor.
All you guys testimonies about your dad absolutely melted mine and everyone else's heart who heard you.
Undoubtedly your dad also heard you and loves you even more for it if that is possible.
I love you guys and hope to see more of you in the future. 
"Cousin Joe"

Uncle Barry will be terribly missed.  So many great memories... Playing in Gram and Pop's back yard, his 40th birthday where we "toasted" the new year and his birthday with sparkling grape juice, the magic show we put on with Chris and Alicia, and spending time at his collectibles store with Carol.  

He was a great man with an infinitely generous heart.  And he still had such a youthful spirit.  I'm conflicted with happiness that he's with Carol and Gram and Pop now, and sadness that he's no longer here with his children, grandchildren, brothers and friends.  

God speed, Uncle Barry.

P.S. Despite all the talk about his love of cigars, it's the image of Uncle Barry smoking a pipe that stands out for me.

Chris, Stephanie, Alicia, Than, Tyler and Ken and Mark, and Janice & Bill:
I feel so privileged to have known Carol and Barry as an "in-law". I will always treasure memories I have of them, albiet such a short number of years. He was always so good to his children, family and friends, and I've learned so very many wonderful things about his career way before he entered the Houston Fire Department. Wow, he was a great architect and artist! You will all miss him greatly, but now need to gather together to make the best of a difficult situation. I will be there for all four of you and my  beloved granddaughters, including Katie. God Bless you all, and my special love to Stephanie, my daughter. Love, Mom/MiMi

Thank you all for your thoughts and memories of Barry. Our loss is still yet to sink in fully. Sunday I sat at Chris and Stephanie's house and expected him to walk in from a cigar break in the back yard at any moment. I go into my train room now and all the memories come flooding back. 

It is hard. 

You may have heard this story over the years but our family story about Barry and I and our model trains bears documenting here for his kids: 

Barry was at the neighbors' house when dad called them to tell him that he had a new baby brother. His response to the neighbor was that he "better get home and put up his trains." The joke was that evidently he didn't get home fast enough because I definitely picked up that interest from him in a big way! In later years he took time on his Saturdays home from college to take his non-driving kid brother to Dibble's to window shop for model trains...and often 'advance' me some funds for that latest gotta-have model. 

I remember listening to the radio with him and counting how many Beatles' songs they would play in just one hour. Yes, AM radio in 1964.  

He once took a photo of my son Justin and it remains one of my very favorites, it is hanging in our home to this day. That one photo touched me so deeply that I have tried to emulate it constantly in the other hobby that he trained me in: photography. Like the little brother I always will be I tried to make his style my own. I believe he was aware of my perpetual adoration and did his level best to encourage me to find a style all my own. I still have a way to go.

I will forever miss my big brother. He was the very definition of what a big brother should be. 

I rejoice that I can look at his kids today and see some of Barry in each of them: In Chris, his love of all people and universal friendliness. In Alicia his incredible eye for the subtle thru a camera's viewfinder. I see Barry in Nathaniel's insatiable appetite for discovery, exploration and knowledge about anything and everything. And in Tyler, I see his quiet and studious side, thinking deeply about life and his impact on others and that random, out-of-the-blue comedic zinger.

We are still reeling from the loss, can't believe it is true,but it is.  Now our thoughts turn to those left behind, especially the poignant picture left by 2 little blonde headed grandchildren looking into the faces of each of us hoping to see the face of their dearly beloved grandfather.  Barry's grandfather was my great grandfather. My maternal grandmother who also died too young at age 57 years was Bill Whitelhead's sister and Barry's aunt.

Dear Ken, Mark, and families-
Mrs. Stone let Karen, Peggy, and I know about Barry. I cannot adequately express my sorrow at your loss. Right now I'm thinking about all those family get-togethers we had and all the dumb stunts that we kids pulled-we'd do or say something incredibly dumb or embarassing and Barry would just smile. I'm amazed that Barry tolerated us! What a great guy!

Please know that you are all in our prayers.

Barry and Carol were true friends of my wife and I while at G&R and afterwards. He was multi-talented in his profession. He could do it all. He will be remembered and missed by all that were touched by him, both professionally and personally.  

Lynn and Ellie Hanson

Ken and Mark, you were all what we considered extended family having lived as next door neighbors for 37 years in San Antonio.  My prayers are with all of you.  Elva Zemis Pagel   (Aransas Pass, TX)

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

My heart and prayers go out to family and friends.  So many losses in such a short time span.  

- Debie and Joe Batterson, Seattle, WA
2nd cousins to Mark, Ken, and Barry

My thoughts and prayers are extended to the family of both Barry and Carol. As a bridesmaid in their wedding, the memories we shared will always remain special to me, as they will by many other friends they both had.  May God Bless you with His love during this difficult time.

Mark and family I am so sorry about your loss. I know this is a very difficult time. Words of sympathy cannot take away the sorrow you feel but to know that Barry is now in God's care and hope you find comfort in Our Lord

My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.  What a shock it is to everyone.

My heart holds a special place for all the Whitehead family. Grace and peace to you.

To Barry's Family
I was just thinking of Barry a couple of days ago while meeting with a contractor who's office is located in the old M David Lowe building on Richmond.  Barry and I did the design work for the building 35 years ago when we were architects at old G&R. The building still looks great. While walking up the stair in that building, I remembered the day Barry and I agonized over the design details of the handrail. Details, details, details. 
Barry was a good friend and one of the greats! I'll miss him.
Dave Hall

OBITUARY

Barry Lynn Whitehead

January 1, 1947 – July 31, 2010

Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home and Cemetery

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