Barry Edward Harder
February 6, 1964 - October 11, 2022
Barry Edward Harder passed away on October 11, 2022. He leaves behind so many that will miss his quick wit, intellectually stimulating conversations, especially by campfire, incredible knowledge of electrical code and Seattle sports stats.
Barry was born February 6, 1964, to Will E. Harder and Patsy (O’Neal) Harder in Ballard, WA. As a child Barry had an energy that was captivating. He was known for being the life of the party, creating laughs at every turn. Clothes optional.
Barry celebrated growing up in Ballard and was a proud graduate of Ballard High School class of 1982. He resided in Seattle for many years prior to settling in a very special cul de sac in Bothell, a place where he made instant friends with surrounding neighbors. Barry’s garage became the neighborhood hang out. If the door was open everyone and anyone was welcome! If a Seahawks, Husky or Mariners game wasn’t on the TV then the music was blaring, most likely Led Zeppelin. He very quickly became known fondly by everyone as Uncle Barry.
Family was incredibly important to Barry and the center of his universe. He often commented about feeling like an only child in the later years of his life after his 4 older siblings had left the family home, prior to his nieces and nephews joining the family.
Professionally Barry was incredibly well read on all things related to his profession. He and brother John Harder would spend hours discussing code and challenge each other’s knowledge.
Barry’s special place was the 100+ year family compound on Camano Island. He cherished so many incredible memories through his lifetime on the property and made it his legacy to protect and preserve the essence of the original purpose; to be a landing place for family gatherings. Barry might have been one of the last ones up for the day but he was the first to light the campfire and last one to extinguish the flame in the wee hours of the morning. Barry spent countless hours on the lawnmower and doing physical labor on the property, including clearing the walkways to the beach, rebuilding anything that needed fixings plus collecting parts for projects he felt were important. Any free lawn mower on the side of the road found a home if Barry drove by!
Barry was an avid golfer and spent much of the summer months in the pacific northwest on the course. Especially the Camaloch Golf Course close to the Island property. Barry’s favorite family event of the summer was the annual Screen Door Open, where he won many prestigious awards over the years, some of which originated from his A class sense of humor.
Barry was preceded in death by father Will Harder and Mother Patsy Harder, siblings Suzanna Johnson, and Mark Harder, and brother-in-law, Bill Johnson.
He is survived by siblings Cindi (Harder) Massee, John (Lucinda) Harder. Nieces and nephews, Hilary (Trent) Clark, Alison (Josh) Jessup, Marie Johnson, Jeffery Harder, Jodie Harder (Jesse Ray), Sierra Hiner; great-nephews, Liam and Sawyer Jessup, Wilson and Landon Clark; and countless close family members and friends that he adored.
The world will not be the same without Barry’s magnetic presence, but our family will do our very best to carry on his legacy by working hard and playing even harder.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Camano Island Fire and Rescue in Barry’s memory.