Barry M. Ackerson

Apr 23rd 1954 - Nov 14th 2005

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Jessica Ackerson
November 14th 2009

It's been 4 years today that we lost Pops. It's amazing how much he meant to all of us and how much our 4 year old Barry is so much like his Grandpa. He's caring, thinks of others and is just a pleasure to be around. Barry, we miss and love you. You've left a mark on everyone you met!



Nick Ackerson
November 15th 2008

I shared a memory from my childhood with my children today.

I told Hailea, Heather, Barry, and Sarah about grandpa's old Datsun Station Wagon.

Dad named the station wagon "EVENRUDE" after a charector from Walt Disney's "The Rescuers". Dad took us boys to see that movie at the theater right before he got that car.

The charecter was a mosqueto named Evenrude that was faitfull, loyal, and always putting his best effort forward to the point of exaustion. Both the charecter and the car made the same mosqueto noise. (a loud whiney hum)

The grandkids all thought it was funny.

I immitated the noise the way dad did when we were little and the kids all laughed the same way that my brothers and I used to.

I miss you dad.

Love always,

Nick



Jessy
November 8th 2007

Hey there Pops. It's been two years and I can still can feel that loving and supporting hug you were so great at giving. This year has been a tough one for everyone. Sarah has your eyes and little Barry says "Papa" everytime he sees your picture in our bedroom. Love you always, Jessy



Nick
January 1st 2007

Happy New Year dad.

It hasn’t been the same since you have been gone.

I have so many things and changes I wish I could share with you now.

I have had so many instances over the past year where I wish I had your advice.

I am lucky that you left me so much good advice and great memories.

I try to be the best man I can be everyday and I raise my children to respect and learn the wisdom found in the good book, to follow the teachings of Jesus, and be the good Sheppard.

I work smarter than hard, take my classes seriously, and push forward with my bearings strait and an even keel.

I don’t know what the future holds.

I pray for guidance and do my best.

When my time is done I hope to see you again and to hear about all that you have done since our last visit.

Always Faithful and with love always,

Nick, with Jessie, Sarah, Barry, Heather, Hailea, and Marilyn.



Nick
April 23rd 2006

Happy Birthday Dad,

We miss you and look forward to seeing you again.



Nick
April 11th 2006

If anyone here has a spacific memory about Barry Ackerson that you can share, please do.

I have been trying to write some of mine down, and when I have written enough I will try to post some of them.

Barry ment a lot to many people.

Sometimes it helps both someone else and yourself when you share those memories.



Jeff Ackerson
January 5th 2006

I am the second of Barry's three sons. Pops was always a quiet man but his words carried a lot of weight. There is no way to describe the grief that my brothers and I feel over his death. He taught me many valuable lessons and always lead by example. The last lesson he taught was that we never know how many breaths there will be between the first and last. Enjoy your days and treat others with kindness and respect.



Nick Ackerson
December 8th 2005

Barry was the greatest man I have ever known.

He tried to be the best man he could every day of his life and inspired others to do the same.

He was hard working, ambitious, modest, kind, generous, and forgiving.

I am angry and sad that he had been taken so suddenly when he had so many things just beginning and left unfinished.

I appreciate the time I had with him and all of the things he taught me.

I wish he was given more time to enjoy life, to be loved, and be able to raise his new son and enjoy his family.

He deserved that time and so did they.

I suppose we can all feel good about the time we had with him, and I am just as sure everyone else wishes for more.

Great men often die young while the wicked remain.

The balance is in the impact those great men left and the difference made in the world by them.

In fifty years or more there will be people who remember Barry Ackerson and the things he taught us. The love, patience, acceptance, and understanding he showed us.

We will remember the good times because he was one of those special people who rarely leave you with anything less than a good memory.

It is impossible to dwell on the negative for long when thinking of him, His life was too positive. He carried me through the worst portions of my life.

He guided me, mentored me, and helped me recover from my injuries. He encouraged me to be strong and to always do the right thing.

He didn’t allow me to give up and encouraged me to keep fighting in my darkest days.

He was the kind of person that would leave you wondering if angels exist and live among men, always supportive, encouraging, helpful, and wise.

He was the greatest man I have ever known and I am proud to have the privilege to call him my father.

I only hope that we will share time again some day and that I can pass on all that he taught me to my children.



Delisa Olvera
December 3rd 2005

When I think of Barry the words

KINDNESS, GENTLE,& CARING comes to mind. Rest in the Lord. To his family, know that God needed Barry to be one of his angels to look over you. So seek your strength from him



Dan & Sandy McDiarmid
December 3rd 2005

I remember Barry as always being very gentle and caring, even during his teenage years. I appreciated him being an usher at our wedding in 1970. He was a wonderful younger cousin who was kind and considerate of others. Our Gramma Ackerson, who was a devote christian that prayed daily for her children & grandchildren, would have been so proud & happy to know that Barry became a living testament of his faith. I'm confident that our mutual family members (Grandma & Grandpa Ackerson, Aunt Vonya & Uncle Kenny, Uncle Dale, Uncle Keith & Aunt Margaret) will all be re-united again. Thanks cousin Barry for the happy memories that will substain us.



Lorne Brush
November 22nd 2005

Barry was a truly wonderful person.A gifted musician and craftsman(jack of all trades master of none)But barry did master one that was Love,love for family and friends.Barry taught me so many things in the time I knew him.I know he is with the LORD.Barry is standing on the stage in heaven thumpping out praise to the LORD on a solid gold bass(couldn't see him with a harp) May god be praised for his servant Barry M. Ackerson.We will love and miss you.



melissa Brush
November 22nd 2005

Barry was my step dad, but he was much more than that. He was a friend, encourager and full of wisdom. The first time I meet him, I could see what my mom saw in him. He was so kind, gentle, loving and excepting. The slight tear in his eye when he would hold a new grandbaby said it all. He was always willing to give a word of encouragement, as I too have 3 sons. Thank-you Barry for your precious time you spent with us. You are truely missed.



Dwight Loeding
November 21st 2005

I met Barry when he came to Stryker to work. He is a strong, hardworking, honest man with whom I learned a lot from. We worked on a few projects together in which he was always easy to share with and talk to. He was a quit man that had a way about him that drew people in. I ask myself why the good ones are taken so early when others are left behind and can only hope that it is so they can watch over us from the other side. I will miss our talks and the laughter that was always present. Thank you GOD for friends like Barry. Rest with the Lord we will see you soon.



Debra Ann
November 19th 2005

I kknew Barry through his friendship with my husband, who went to school with Barry, in Marion.

Barry was 1 of the "wheels" in the bunch of guys that hung out together. There was Mike Coon, Jim Rawson, Greg Pullen, And Mark Truxton. I never knew Barry to say harsh words to anyone. Normally quiet, and quick to put that grin on his face. I was a part of his life through the young years of his first 3 boys,when he was married to Jan.

A good man, and the world is a lesser place without him.

Debra



Dave Ford
November 18th 2005

I had the prvilege of knowing Barry when he lived in Cadillac in the early 90's. I met him at Abiding Word Church where I saw his heart draw close to Jesus. His sincerity was evident in everything he did. He was part of the worship team where he was always early to help set up and was one of the last to leave in tearing things down. He played the bass to the Lord with a glad heart, learned to play in a short time, took time to travel to jails and a prison to minister in song. He was always concerned about his sons and we prayed for them regularly. Life and business tended to get busier for me and I regret not keeping in better touch with Barry. Learning that he had moved away I lost contact with him but my wife and I will always remember the friendship he showed to us and the encouragement he always gave me when I was having tough times with my boys growing up. Every person I know who remembers Barry knew a man who blessed their path of life.



Janice (Hall) Peterson
November 18th 2005

I went to high school with Barry at Marion High. Barry was a dear friend of mine and I always thought he was one of the nicest and kindess guys I had ever met. He was my escort when I was homecoming queen in our senior year. I am saddened to hear he is gone, but there is no doubt Barry is now making music in heaven for the Lord. He was an incredible person and though I only knew him for a few years, I felt I had known him for a lifetime. Barry made this world a better place. We will miss him. I'll see you in heaven someday, Barry!



Eric Schrauben
November 18th 2005

My uncle Barry spent a lot of time with me when I was a small child when he lived with my family in Massachusetts. I have nothing but fond memories of Barry, he was always such a gentle and nurturing man you couldn't help but feel good around him. I regret not having a chance to know him better as a man, life sure does get in the way. I will miss him more than I ever knew.



Diane sister in law
November 18th 2005

I didn't know Barry as well as I would have liked to and I will always regret that but what I did know and feal when I was around him or visiting in Ann and Barry home was that I was welcome there and thier was comfort and love in thier home I will always be gratfull for the joy that Barry brought to my sisters life I'll Miss You Barry



david anderson (rabbi)
November 18th 2005

I worked with Berry at wedin,and became a good friend that i will never forget. We talked a lot about religion,and he wanted to learn to play some kind of musicial instruments,and i guess he did that. Never seen him again after he went down state,but i was thinking of him the other day for some reason and i guess i know why.



Heather Ackerson
November 17th 2005

I hope you fill betr in hevine grampa. I love you. I miss wene you rede stores to me and wene you play roaer gutor with me. It was fun.



Marilyn Southwick
November 17th 2005

Marilyn and Grandpa Barry

Me and you had some good times. I love you a lot. I never thought I would lose until this day. I have had too many people in my life die, you and my Grandma Marilyn are the ones I never wanted to leave my life at all. The days we had like you pushing me on the swing, you helping me hold my cup the right way, playing the guitar and me reaching up and grabing the string and making a tune and you laughing at me when I made a tune on our guitar, and you pushing me on my bike, reading me books at bedtime, then you tuking me in, and you watching movies with you.

Happy Thanksgiving Grandpa Barry and Grandma Ann

Love, Marily



Hailea Roys
November 17th 2005

To Grampa. From Hailea.

I love you Grampa. You where my favret Grampa. You love me Grampa. You are speshl to me fore ever. We wen't to the hoatell and swim in the pool. We read books together.

Love, Hailea



Hailea Roys
November 17th 2005

To Grampa. From Hailea

I love you Grampa. You where my favret Grampa. You love me Grampa. You are speshl to me fore ever. We wen't to te hoatell and swim in the pool. We read books together.

Love Hailea. I love you grampa.



Ryan Ackerson
November 17th 2005

To say; My Dad was a good man,is a complete understatement. In this world of selfish greed, sin, materialism, bad manors, rushed, rude, and inconsiderate people, My Dad would stand out of the crowd. He was'nt typical by no means. To me, he is, and and will always remain a saint and my hero. In the troubles I've had in a tough world, I was blessed with someone to look up to, and someone to look forward to, a coach, a teacher, an all around genuine righteous soul who will never be replaced. I can only hope to see him once again, so I now have new motivation to prevail in accomplishments, be "excellent" to eachother, and simply be a better man, so I can be were the righteous souls go when my time comes, and chill with Pops in heaven.



Jessica Ackerson
November 17th 2005

I knew Barry's son Nick five years ago. Since the first moment I met Nick, he always spoke so highly of his father Barry. Since the first moment I met Barry, I knew exactly why Nick spoke so highly. He was always there to share thoughts, give advice, just to love us. I looked forward to every visit with Barry. When I was having a hard day, he knew how to make me laugh. We adored Barry so much that we named our 9 month old son Barry. We couldn't have picked a better name. The short time that he had with our son was alway spent with the most love. He loved our girls and to Hailea, now 7, he was her best friend. A friend she will never replace.

Barry, we love you and we'll miss you dearly. You were a magical man. No one could ever compete with such a soul.

XOXOXOXOXO,

Jessy



Bobbie Melson
November 17th 2005

Thank-you Barry for being a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. You were the nicest person one would have the privlege of knowing.God Bless.



Nalani Zorola
November 17th 2005

I HAD THE PRIVILAGE OF WORKING WITH BARRY AT STRYKER. WHEN I THINK OF BARRY, A PHRASE COMES TO MIND THAT I RECENTLY READ.

IT SAID; NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A KIND WORD, OR A GOOD DEED.

THANK -YOU BARRY FOR YOUR KIND WORDS. WE WILL MISS YOU.