Deacon Dr. Roy R. Barkley died in his home in Pflugerville, Texas May 7, 2021. Born in Brownwood, Texas November 2, 1941, he was predeceased by both parents and his two brothers David and Robert. He is survived by his wife, Flor Barkley; two sons, Christopher Barkley, John Barkley; four grandchildren.
After completing an MA in English literature his first job was teaching English at Lamar College in Beaumont Texas.
Adventurous and wanting the opportunity to travel in Europe, he taught for over a year in Germany in the University of Maryland overseas college program for American military personnel.
Returning to Texas he obtained a PhD in Middle English and Germanic studies. He worked as an associate editor on the Middle English Dictionary at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for nearly a decade. He subsequently moved back to Texas to work as an editor of the New Handbook of Texas, a project he worked on to completion. After officially retiring he continued to teach college courses part time for many years.
Roy was a devout Catholic, and in 1991 he was ordained a deacon. He served at St Mary’s Cathedral in Austin for eight years and St. Joseph’s Church in Manor for twenty-five years. His service was greatly rewarding to him and he deeply loved the people of his parish.
Roy was an accomplished cellist and a passionate lover of classical music, exceptionally knowledgeable about opera and medieval music. He was also a lover of good literature, everything from Wiliam Butler Yeats to P. G.Wodehouse.
He was a magnificent cook and exceptionally creative chef whose hospitality and sense of humor were legendary among his family and friends.
