Kenneth Barkie, 62, of Williston, ND, passed away Monday, April 17, 2017 at the Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND. His funeral arrangements are with Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Williston.

Kenny was born in Williston to Sam and Delores (Justice) Barkie. He was 1 of 5 kids whom all shared a common love for their moms cooking and their dads quiet strength. He was educated at St. Joe's School and in 2nd grade he met his one true love, Valerie. Never could the two of them have imagined the life and decades of love they would share that day on the playground.

His wandering spirit led him to many places and many jobs throughout his teenage years. If asked, one of his most proud accomplishments would be the Motorcycle Club he helped found, The United Savages.

In 1977 Kenny and Valerie made their fairy-tale love official at St Joe's Church. Soon after they were married they welcomed their first born, Nadine. Kenny's heart swelled at the sight of his little girl and the time he got to spend with her in between his days off while working at Wisco. Not long after came Carianne, Sammy and Sarah. They loved the days when their daddy came home in his big work truck because it always meant he would be home for a few days to spoil them rotten. Soon after their youngest was born, Valerie converted over to First Baptist Church where all of their children were brought up. Kenny couldn't help but see the desire and devotion his family had for Jesus and soon followed suit. He accepted Jesus into his heart and soon after was baptized. His family takes incredible comfort in knowing they will one day get to see him again.

Kenny had a passion for working with his hands and decided that he would put that into a new career of laying carpet after he left the oilfield. His work in this led him to many new friendships and his ability to do the job so well was never a surprise to those who knew him as he was an absolute perfectionist in all he did.

Kenny had an affinity for cooking, much like his mother, and his favorite way of showing love to those around him was to cook a meal for them. If not in his garage tinkering around on an old car, motorcycle or a small project, you could find him in the kitchen working on a new recipe. He knew all of his family's favorites and always made sure to have something in the oven when one of them came home.

Kenny was a quiet and simple man. He had the strength of an Ox and never could take a day off. He loved his family fiercely, especially his grandchildren. He loved to share his passion for cars with his oldest, Joseph and looked forward to every summer when the boys would come visit from Connecticut. The memories made and shared between he and his 3 older grandsons will forever be cherished. In 2012 God blessed Kenny and Val with their first granddaughter, Piper. Never before had Kenny experienced a love like the one he shared with his "Piper Baby". He would have hung the moon for her. They were the best of friends and rarely went a day without seeing one another. Kenny's latest project was teaching his youngest grand baby, Aesoph, how to walk. He was sure he would be able to accomplish this within just days. Although he had a strong stoic exterior, he would love for his grand babies to cuddle up with him and watch tv or share a bowl of ice cream.

Kenny is preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Delores Barkie.

He leaves behind his wife, Valerie, 4 children, Nadine (Neal) Haverlock (Williston, ND), Carianne (Andrew) Lirot (Higganum, Connecticut), Sammy Barkie (Williston, ND), Sarah (Colby) Hernandez (Billings, MT) and 5 Grandchildren, Joseph, Talon, William, Piper and Aesoph. His sisters Rebecca Womack, Tami Barkie and Jodi Ennen and honorary sister, Trina Knibbs all from Williston as well as his brother, Kalil Barkie of (Polson, Mt,) Uncle Joe Barkie (Williston, ND), several cousins and close friends. Last but most certainly not least are his 6 favorite fur grand-babies, Rudiger, Peatree, Finnigan, Lula, Baxter and Keno.

Memorial Contribution