BARRY FRANKLIN CASTLE
Dec. 13, 1944-Sept. 25, 2011
EFLAND -- Mr. Barry Franklin Castle, ended his incredible journey on earth Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011.
Born Dec. 13, 1944, he was the only child of Madge Franklin Castle and Roy Eugene Castle, both of which preceded him in death.
He was born and raised in Durham, and graduated from Northern High School.
After serving his country in the United States Air Force, he moved to Florida, and was an electrician for 16 years.
He returned to Durham area in 1984, where he met his soul mate and love of his life, Lucy Efland.
He went to work for Duke Hospital in the hyperbaric chamber, a division of anesthesia, where he worked until his retirement in 2009.
An uncomplicated man, he had many talents. An electrician by trade, he was an avid photographer, was skilled in wood-working and a true artisan in stained glass. He made most of his own designs, and he would work for hours and sometimes months creating a piece. His works are scattered throughout the United States and in the homes of family members and friends. Many were donated to various charities to help raise funds.
He had an ear for good music, his favorites being Andrea Bocelli, Celtic Women and jazz.
He loved sailing and sought out places with scenic views to sail.
A man who loved simple things, he was generous to a fault with his time, his labors and his relationships with others, using all to enhance the lives of those he loved. A rarity he never had time for being angry, holding grudges or being temperamental with others. He usually got his point across in other unique ways.
When he married Lucy in 1986, he adopted her big family of siblings as his own and as the family grew, he welcomed each new member to his expanding family circle.
They in turn loved him like a son, brother and uncle.
He loved his home in Efland and it was literally his "castle." He continually improved his "castle" with his skills and everywhere you look, there is a part of him in his home.
Over the years, he would tell Lucy and others around him that "his home was his heaven on earth."
He was a lover of nature, and when he traveled, always brought back scores of photos showing the scenic beauty he had witnessed, depicting nature at its best. He loved the earth God created, and was forever reminding friends and family of the beauty around them. Things many take for granted.
His death leaves a tremendous gap in the hearts of many who mourn, his wife of 25 years, Lucy E. Castle; daughter, Jennifer Locigno (Mike) of Delray Beach Fla.; his beloved birds, Scooter and Sassie; aunts, Bobbie Thames and Elsie Castle; uncle, Bennie Suitt; along with several cousins.
His surrogate family members include Billy and Dot Efland, Brenda E. Long (Edwin), Cindy E. Hale (Jim), Christie E. Gray (Marshall), Jaye R. Efland, Bill Efland (Shelly) and Michael Efland, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and rental kids.
A celebration of his life will be held at Duke University Chapel Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Randy Wellford officiating. The Rev. Wellford performed their marriage ceremony at Duke Chapel in 1986, and recently performed the renewal of their vows in celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary.
Visitation will be at Clements Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011.
Burial of his ashes will be held immediately following the celebration of his life at Efland Presbyterian Cemetery.
Family and friends are invited to visit with the family following burial at Barry and Lucy's castle at 300 Brookhollow Road, Efland.
The family would like to thank all of those at Duke who were involved in Barry's care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Duke Hospice, 4321 Medical Park, Suite 101, Durham, N.C., 27704, 919-620-3853, or Duke Cancer Patient Support, P.O. Box 3139 DUMC, Durham, N.C., 27710, 919-684-4497.
The family is being assisted in Durham by Clements Funeral Service Inc.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on September 27, 2011 1:53 PM