Kenneth Carl Barfield

Mr. Kenneth Carl Barfield, age 80, of Rocky Point, North Carolina went to be with God on January 31, 2026. He passed in his home surrounded by his family including his devoted wife Peggy Barfield daughters April Eggert and Holly Surles (Roland) and brother and sister-in-law James and Kathy Watson.

He was born to Gertrude Caulder and Carlton Barfield in Dillon, SC on March 8, 1945. He was preceded in death by sister Darlene Allen and brothers Vann and Craig Barfield. Kenneth has three additional siblings Bobby, Mike and sister Tammy.

Kenneth (Kenny) and his family moved to Wilmington, NC in first grade. As a young boy Kenny was interested in using his hands and found scrap wood and made a boat and an airplane that stretched across the width of the road so he and his brothers could play and have fun after school. As he got older, he taught himself to do automotive engine and body car repair in a local shop while attending school. He later graduated from New Hanover High School on June 1964. He joined the United States Naval Reserves in July 1964 during the Vietnam War. He was assigned to the destroyer The USS Dewey and later assigned boat duty with his brother Bobby on the USS Enterprise. He was given the title of Boatswain’s Mate Motorboat Operator. As a coxswain he drove 50 foot utility boats to shore, often navigating blind ports.

After his service, he worked at Thurston Motor Lines and was then hired at General Electric (GE) in 1968. He worked both in Nuclear and in Aircraft. He was an instructor teaching other machinist at GE and then during the remaining of his career, he worked as a Tool and Die Maker and retired after 35 years.

Kenneth met Peggy Watson of Wilmington, NC one night at a local drive in diner with friends, and after 4 months of dating, they were married on December 14,1968. Peggy and Kenneth celebrated 57 years of marriage. They had two daughters Holly Barfield Surles (Roland) and April Barfield Eggert. Two grandchildren, Aaron and Noah Eggert and father to the boys, Cliff Eggert.

Kenneth enjoyed playing softball with church leagues and with GE. His love of wood working continued and he used his craft to build a swing set for his girls, double decker baby doll beds, and an elaborate china cabinet and dinette suit and built several storage buildings for himself in his spare time. After retiring from GE, Kenny volunteered with WARM and helped rebuild homes for those in need. He continued to enjoy being out on the water and went boating and fishing with his family. He would catch flounder and shrimp after work and on the weekend. He enjoyed going camping and going on vacations. He loved visiting the mountains once a year with his family.

Kenneth loved God and Church. He and wife Peggy spent many years in church together serving in Children’s Ministries and singing in various church choirs. We know that Kenneth is now singing in Glory with the angels.

The life of Kenneth will be honored with a Memorial Service at 2pm on Thursday February 12, 2026 at Coble Funeral and Cremation Services, 1155 Shipyard Blvd, Wilmington, NC. Visitation will be one hour before starting at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to Lower Cape Fear Lifecare.