Van Barger

Van was born in Dallas, Texas on September 29, 1962, to parents Bobby and Patricia Barger. His father worked for Mobil Oil which took Van and his family to Lagos, Nigeria when he was just 18 months old. They later moved to Tripoli, Libya followed by Stavanger, Norway where he graduated high school. His early years overseas ignited a lifelong passion for adventure and travel.

He returned to the United States as a college student and attended Texas Tech University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. It is there that he met Susan Rogers, his future wife and lifelong best friend. Together they raised two children, Carson and Madeline, who Van loved beyond measure.

Van’s career spanned 35 years, and included 21 years with GMAC, followed by 14 years with Ally Financial, where he most recently served as Regional Director of Sales. His career took Van and his family to Phoenix, Seattle, Anchorage, Sacramento, Cleveland, Atlanta and ultimately Kansas City. In all of these places, he and Susan built a beautiful life and made lifelong friends.

Van had a passion for life and embraced every opportunity to spend time with the people he cared about most. He loved hats, breakfast, tailgates, travel, cowboy boots, cigars by the firepit, a great cabernet, sports, jazz, and Christmas morning. But above all else, he loved and cherished his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Susan Barger and children, Carson and Madeline of Overland Park, KS; his mother, Patricia Barger of DeSoto, TX; his sister, Cynthia Tolson (John) of Nacogdoches, TX; his uncle, James Crook (Barbara) of Charlotte, NC; many nieces and nephews, and countless friends. Van is preceded in death by his father, Bobby Joe Barger.

A visitation will begin at 2:00 pm, followed by a celebration of his life at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, June 22 in the Wesley Chapel at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS. Reception immediately following at The Social Club, 6301 W 135th St, Overland Park – baseball caps optional.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial gifts in memory of Robert Barger to support The University of Kansas Cancer Center. Donations can be mailed to The University of Kansas Health System, Attn: Fund Development, 2330 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 305, Westwood, KS 66205 or given online at https://giving.kansashealthsystem.com.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleyhoge.com for the Barger family.