Donald Everette Barkus

Donald Everette Barkus of Kent, WA was born March 29^th, 1936 in Granville, North Dakota to parents Bertha Barkus & Charles Hayward Barkus. He married the love of his life, Gloria Jean Gerdon on July 3^rd, 1957 in Seattle WA. He passed away quietly at home on December 23^rd, 2021.  Gloria and both parents predeceased him in passing but he is survived by sons Brett Barkus, 63 of Lake Tapps, WA (with wife Sherrill) and Ken Barkus 58 of Kent, WA (with wife Barbra), two grandchildren, Casey Barkus of Fleming Island, FL, & Krysta Cairns of Maple Valley, WA, and two Great Grandchildren, Warren and Josephine Barkus of Fleming Island, FL

Don served for 4 years in the US Army and a couple additional years in the National Guard. He spent much of his military career stationed at Fort Lawton and helped maintain the Northwest’s Nike anti-aircraft missile sites as our last line of defense during the cold war. After the Army, Don dabbled in Real Estate sales for some time and eventually became a home building contractor and owner of Barkus Construction. Sometime in the mid 60’s, he started work at PBS Supply Co. where he worked for well over 35 years until his well-deserved retirement. 

Don has never been one to sit still and do nothing, and it showed in his many hobbies and endeavors through life. A tremendous amount of time and support went into both sons many years of motorcycle racing all around the Northwest. It was always a family event whether working on the motorcycles in the garage, heading to another racetrack, or camping for the entire weekend trackside. Only to do it all again the very next week. Beyond the motorcycles, just a few of Don’s hobbies and small business ideas were raising Chinchillas, packaging fertilizer, raising Worms, Birds, and Hedgehogs, Rockhounding, Jewelry making, a Bicycle shop, Toy collecting, and for many years now, woodworking to an amazing level of design and quality. Many people in the NW have one or more of his wood creations that they enjoy daily.

Don will be remembered and missed in countless people’s lives, but we know he is now back with Gloria forever after. 

A Military service will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA on February 1^st, 2022 at 3:00 pm. 

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