Barry Ryan McAfee

Barry was born in York, Pennsylvania, to Darthy Virginia (Strine) McAfee and the late Ross C. McAfee. The family later moved to Cocoa, Florida, where Barry grew into an affluent outdoorsman, spending much of his time in nature and around anything with an engine. Barry loved vintage cars, horses, motorcycles, hunting, fishing, drag racing, making knives and arrows, following stock car racing, and building remote control cars for his son. He participated in many archery competitions and earned many awards. He especially enjoyed talking about these interests with friends and family, sharing stories that reflected his caring and love of the outdoors. Barry served his country as a helicopter mechanic in the US Army, completing tours of duty in Vietnam and Germany. Blessed with an uncanny mechanical ability, Barry could fix or build almost anything and was the one people called when something needed repair. In his younger years, he built drag cars with his friends, treasured his Harley-Davidson among his first vehicles, and later worked for a local building supplier as a driver, where he was known as one of their best.

Surviving, along with his mother, Darthy McAfee, are his sister, Sherry (Clifford) Bedell of Kennesaw, Georgia; his son, Ryan McAfee and his grandchild, Xhaiden McAfee both from Cocoa, Florida. Several cousins, nieces and nephews. His best furry friend Maggie.

His quiet strength will live on in the generations who loved him dearly.

A visitation will be held on January 14, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home, located at 1360 N Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL, 32953 with funeral services to follow at 2pm.

A Celebration of Life will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center, 400 S Sykes Creek Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL 32952.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate in Barry's name to the National Parks Conservation Association. Link provided below.