My Dad’s spirit left his body late this afternoon. He crossed over and joined my Mother and my brother Tim.
He struggled with a motor neuron disease, diagnosed in August. He quickly lost the ability to speak and to swallow. He understood his diagnosis and prognosis and continued to communicate with written notes and “thumbs up” or “thumbs down.” As of early fall, he was still walking outside with his walker.
My Dad wrote a note a week or so ago that said “I’ve had a good life, except for what happened to Tim.” His wife was an angel to him and he died at home, in his own bed on his own terms.
He was a warrior for justice for his son Tim. He conducted himself with dignity and just wanted the truth. He wanted someone in law enforcement to look him in the eyes and tell him the truth. He had such faith in law enforcement and in people doing the right thing until the awful, dawning realization that those in power deceived him and all of us and dishonored the child victims of the child killers in Oakland County. He was disrespected and lied to by prosecutors, judges, appellate judges, police chiefs, police and detectives. He did not back down but the obvious failures by these people and agencies were a deep wound on his soul. Yet he kept after it.
Thank you to those who tried to help advance his quest for justice for his son Tim. Thank you to those who supported him, even if just in spirit.
In his memory, if you could perform a random act of kindness in the next few days, this would help mitigate the treatment he received by Oakland County and the State of Michigan. The world could use a little kindness right now.
My Dad would have been 90 on March 11. He took the high road in the face of true evil. I am inspired by this and I hope you are, too.
He was extremely grateful to Cory Williams, Rob Moran, Kym Worthy and Marney Keenan. His entire family is grateful as well.
My sincere condolences to you and your family. Your father was obviously a man of great integrity and honor.
May he Rest In Peace and may you and your family find comfort in knowing that Mr. King is and will continue to be a man who many in this community look upon with great respect.
My condolences to you and your family. Your dad is an inspiration for perseverance and for decency. My his memory be a blessing.
Cathy-
I send my deepest condolences. Your father was an exceptional man. A true warrior for truth and justice. I hold him in great esteem. It is heartbreaking that the powers that be blocked his pursuit of that truth. May he rest in peace. His reunion with your mother and Tim will be joyous indeed.
M K Kay
Cathy I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. I am sending love and light to you and your family. I feel like he was an extended family member and I am sorry he didn’t live to see Tim’s death get the justice it deserved.
So sorry for your loss. Your dad was a true warrior an I wished things would have resolved for him, and your family and the other OCCK cases while he was still here. Know many people care and will continue to care and spread the words from your dad and try and push law enforcement to do the right things… no only for you all, for all of us. Again, very sorry for your loss..
This is heartbreaking to hear. What a pillar of integrity and kindness he was. I’ve followed this case for years, and he was such a prominent voice. He was always calm, always measured – even when he had every reason not to be. I think that when we pass, we learn all the truths we sought in life. I know he has all the truths he was deprived of in life. More importantly I know he is with your mother and with Tim. Take care, Catherine.
Cathy, I am so so sorry, my condolences. I always looked up to your father and as I have said many times he was a hero of mine. I feel awful that he never got proper closure but, I believe he was at peace knowing what he did. I truly am sorry I never got a chance to meet him. As you said he is with Tim and your mom now. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jeremy
what comfort can anyone offer except tears and shared pain and anger at his pain, your pain, your mother’s agony – your brother and all family – what comfort but to know the courage and leadership your dad and you and family have shown will ensure that this case will never die, never be forgotten, never be unknown – Tim’s justice may only be that – but it will be that at least.
So sad that Barry has not seen closure – and endlessly hope you and your family will see same.
Beautiful words describing a beautiful soul by his beautiful daughter. I am so sorry for your loss. I follow your writings, as I was 12, living in B’ham when all this took place. I continue to pray that you get THE truth someday. Your Dad was a great example as to “never give up hope in finding the truth.” Darkness will be brought into the light someday, and I hope for you, the families, and those of us who were traumatized by the experiences at that age, that light will finally be revealed someday soon. May your Dad now have answers as he hugs your brother in Heaven.
I’m so sorry for your loss, but grateful for Mr. King’s fight for justice. I worked for the Detroit Free Press for 36 years and tried to instill the importance of this case.
I am profoundly sorry for your loss. I always looked up to your parents and your Dad has been unfailingly kind to me over the years. He certainly deserved better treatment than he received from elected officials and law enforcement. Wishing you a measure of peace.
Cathy, Please accept my sincerest condolences at the passing of your Dad. He was, and is, a true inspiration. Of tenacity, yes, of course, but more so the love he had for Tim. Shall we not finish his task?
I was so sad to read this. Your dad is a hero. My heart aches for you and you family and the many levels at which you have suffered. I don’t know if I believe if an afterlife, but the thought of your dad getting to see Tim again definitely makes me want to believe 🙂
The truth will come out, and I hope your dad knew and believed that in the end. Sending you love and wishes for truth and peace. I’m truly so sorry for the loss of your dad.
Oh Cathy, I’m so sorry. Your dad was a warrior and a lesser man would have crumbled. My heart goes out to your family.
Cathy I am so sorry to hear. He was an old school
Gentleman all the way. He believed in a system which completely failed him. He will see Tim and finally get his answers. Now you have one more angel in which to keep fighting for. You are an incredible spirit and please, I can’t imagine how painful, but don’t give up.
My prayers are with you and your entire family.
God bless you, your father, brother and family, Cathy. All are in my prayers along with the hope for these evil perpetrators to be convicted. The collective effort and unrelenting pursuit of justice for Timothy is truly touching. To have kept this case in the public eye for over 40 years and to have amassed over 1,000,000 blog hits is beyond incredible. No family could do more.
Sincerely, Peter Mantyla
I am truly sorry for your loss and touched by you and your fathers courage and tenacity.
“Cowards die many deaths. But the courageous taste of death but once “
With deepest sympathies.
Thank you, Kelly. I had never seen that quote before. Thanks for the kind words.
Cathy, I am saddened to hear of your fathers passing. Though glad he will see your mother and your brother again. May he rest in Peace!
My deepest condolences on the loss of your dad Cath, he sounds like an exceptional man but then his daughter certainly is. As soon as I read this I bought and donated a DNA kit to someone looking for the truth! I Huge hug my friend!
Thank you for doing that N!
Just in tears…not going to lie feeling a bit defeated.
I had long wished that before he left this earth he got the answers and respect he so rightly deserved. Barry King was the epitome and definition of one of the Good Guys.
I have for over 40 years watched your father fight the battle of justice for his son. To witness that is one thing, but to be in his family orbit and loved by him must have been something beyond special.
My deepest condolences to you and your entire family…when such a bright light goes out we all suffer. The only comfort is I am positive he was not only met with all the answers he so rightly deserved, but most importantly the smiling face of his son Tim.
Rest in Paradise Barry…you will be missed more than you know. Random acts of kindness in your memory coming up.
Cathy,
You are absolutely right – no one can ever say he didn’t take the high road in every regard. A warrior for justice and fiercely devoted father. Grateful for his example and certain his work and his story, as he told it, is an invaluable legacy. Surely an extraordinary and accomplished life. May he rest in peace, and continue to be a guide to you, your brothers and the rest of your family.
Hi Cathy, this is Mike Coffey, your former Yorkshire neighbor and Bridget’s brother. I am very sorry for the loss of your father. I’m hoping his reunion with your Mom and Tim brings you some level of comfort.
Mike
Thank you very much, Mike. We had some great times on Yorkshire, too. I am sure Bridget welcomed my Dad as well, and that would have been something to see!!
I’m so truly sorry, Cathy.
This makes me feel like crying.
Thanks for writing, Carolyn.
I’m so sorry Cathy. He battled like a soldier for Tim. At least he is at peace with him now. For him I’m sure it’s a wonderful time, and such a long time coming.
Cathy, I’m so very sorry for the loss of your father. I pray 🙏🏻 For you and the rest of your family. I thought about your father often over the years . Hoping he would end up finding justice. I knew of his age and my wish was that it would happen before he left. I definitely admired his tenacity and determination in the work he did. In his name to continue the fight for justice.
I am so sorry to hear this. Your Dad was an awesome man who tried to find out what happened to his son. My thoughts and prayers to you Chris, and Mark
Thank you so much, Patty. How great to hear from you.
I was saddened to hear of your Father’s passing, prayers to you and your family at this time of grief. It is a damn shame this case has not been solved, I had long hoped your father and other victims family members would have gotten some answers as to who committed these horrendous crimes
Cathy I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad. If you’re going to have any type of service please let me know. I realize with COVID it won’t be easy.
Sent from my iPhone
>
We are hoping for a celebration of my Dad’s life after the pandemic. Thank you for writing.
Cathy, words fail me in learning of your dad passing away. I will reread your post as your words touch me so strongly. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
My thoughts and prayers go
Out to you and trout family Kathy.
My sincere condolences to you and your family. May your dad Rest In Peace.
Cathy. I am so sorry to hear about your father’s passing. He was a real hero. I hoped the truth would come out before his death. I wish you comfort in these difficult times.
I am so very sorry Cathy. I admired your dad so much. I’ve shed many tears over the years for Tim, your family, Mark, Jill and Kristine and their families. Tonight I shed them one more time. Tomorrow I will do a random act of kindness in his name. I prayed this would be resolved to his satisfaction before he left us. I’m so sorry it wasn’t.
I am so terribly sorry for your loss, and so sorry that your father did not get the closure he and your family deserve before he passed.
You and your family remain in my thoughts and prayers.
With sympathy and condolences,
Joanne Faycurry
Sent from my iPhone
Joanne B. Faycurry Partner Schiff Hardin, LLP 350 S. Main Street Suite 210 Ann Arbor, MI 48104 http://www.schiffhardin.com t 734.222.1527 f 734.222.1501 c 313.407.9226
>
I am so sorry for your loss…. I never met your dad but it makes me so sad that he never received the truth about what happened to Tim when he was on earth but he knows now and he is with Tim. Peace to you and your family.
Cathy I am so sorry about your dad’s passing. I’ve really been hoping for years now that he would live to see the justice he sought and fought so diligently for. A lot of people have a lot to be ashamed of, but your dad maintained his dignity to the end. My condolences for you and your family.
Your Dad was my neighbor, Cathy. I’d see him out walking and say hello. I realized that he hadn’t been around and hoped he was ok. Thank you for sharing this news. I have so much respect for your family’s fight for justice. It has changed my life in many ways, and my vote. May we honor your Dad’s memory with justice. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Rest in peace Mr. King, and condolences to his family.
Your sweet father deserved the truth … I believe today, he found it. I wish you peace and justice. Godspeed
Very sorry to hear of your family’s loss. I loved your in memory suggestion. Maybe, the world will be a bit kinder to each other in memory of your father, what a great thought. Take careful
I am so sorry to hear this news Cathy. The one time I met your father I could tell how gentlemanly, decent and kind he was. Your writings have also told me what a fighter for justice he was as well. I know how proud he must have been of you and your continuing fight for what’s right. Lots of love to you and your family!
Thank you so much Barb.
HUGS to you Cathy and your family.
Just judging by how your father talked and conducted himself on the local news and in the documentaries, Anyone could tell he was a hell of a man. I am so sorry he never got to receive his justice. But if their is an afterlife he is there with Tim. If there is a after life I could only Imagine the hell, torture, and constant misery all the pedophiles associated to this case like Christopher Busch are receiving that they earned😃. I knew something was wrong by his last tv appearance when Marney released her book. I was praying that maybe he just woke up and was tired. Your dad such a great man who deserved more from his community. I haven’t been around the longest on this case but I have done loads of studying on it ever since Dagner was still around. Well don’t beat yourself up though. Your dad seemed like he loved all you guys and regardless to what happen to Tim he knows you all did your best to help him. I’m sorry for your families loses truely. I lost my step dad to cancer in October and it was hell.
I am so sorry to hear this, Cathy. He was not only a warrior in the search for justice, but was a father, and that in itself is a huge loss for you and your brother. Please look after each other, take the time to grieve, and know that there are many out there who have never met you that do really care. Lx
Love you Cath! So sorry😘
Love you back, buddy. Thanks.
I’m so sorry about your dad’s passing. I feel like I knew him through everything I’ve read and watched about Tim and your family. I’ll raise a glass of Irish whiskey to your family tonight, and I’ll wish your dad safe passage.
I am sure he appreciated that, Joseph. Thank you.
Prayers for all who will miss him, and for peace and justice
I’m very sad to hear this. Sending love to you and your family.
So sorry to hear this, Cathy. I had read and heard so much of his voice the past few years, I felt as though I had met him—wish I had. Condolences to your family.