David Eugene Barko

David Eugene Barko passed from this life on to his eternal home on January 10, 2018 in McKinney, Texas. David was born in Steubenville, Ohio on January 10, 1930 to his parents, Louis and Florence Barko. He was the youngest of four children sharing his childhood with brothers, William and Edwin, and sister, Mae. When David was a child, his family moved from Ohio to the Detroit area where his father took a position at the Great Lakes Steel mill where both he and his father worked until their retirements.

David graduated from The Most Holy Redeemer High School in Detroit, Michigan and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Business from the University of Detroit. David was a purchasing manager and executive for the National Steel Company’s Great Lake Steel Division, having retired after more than 30 years of service.

David was an Airman First class in the Airforce Reserve and served at Luke Airforce Base in Arizona. He was a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Frisco, Texas.

David was a lover of music and culture. He enjoyed classical music concerts, opera, and swing band music. His artistic abilities were expressed throughout his life having created many oil paintings and stained glass works of art. He was an avid gardener of flowers and was always trying to create an oasis of color and beauty no matter where he and his wife, Patricia, lived. His favorite place to be was outside in the garden or near the lakes, walking, being close to nature and sunshine. He enjoyed building and creating cottages and homes where he and Pat could enjoy the beauty of Michigan nature. Both he and Pat enjoyed many years of retirement in the West Phoenix, Arizona valley until they relocated back to Michigan and then to Texas in their later years.

David will be remembered as being your best friend and a friend of those in need. He was the friend of the poor and those who were lonely or in need of special help.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Florence Barko and his brother; William Barko. His legacy will live on through his loving wife of 65 years, Patricia of McKinney, Texas; his sons, David Barko and his wife Anne-Marie of Plymouth, Michigan, Kevin Barko and his wife Amy of Phoenix, Arizona, James Barko of McKinney, Texas, and Jeffrey Barko and his wife Amy of Edmond, Oklahoma; his sister, Mae Foley of East Lansing, Michigan; his brother, Edwin Barko of Cadillac, Michigan; along with many loving grandchildren and great grandchildren.