Basil Clyde Barkley, age 87 of Cairo, MO and formerly of Putnam County, Missouri entered his eternal home on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at the Moberly Regional Medical Center in Moberly surrounded by his loving family.
Basil was born on March 14, 1937, in the Hill community east of Newtown, Missouri the son of George and Velma (Lowry) Barkley.
He attended the Hill Elementary School until 5th grade and then the Jones school for 6th grade. The family moved to Ottawa county, Oklahoma where Basil finished grade school and high school and worked on the family farm. Basil joined the United States Navy in January of 1957 and began an exciting career that spanned over 20 years and took him around the world. He served on several Pacific Fleet ships including the USS Guadalupe AO-32, USS Graffias AF-29 and the USS Grapple ARS-7. He was also stationed at the Naval Supply Station in Norfolk, Virginia, and the Armed Forces Reserve facilities in Wilmington, North Carolina, South Bend, Indiana, and Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland. Basil earned the rank of Chief Petty Officer and carried a proud honor for the Navy and the United States all of his life. Following his retirement from the Navy in 1977 he made his home in Johnson City, Tennessee and attended college to become a Draftsman along with earning several other degrees. He worked as a draftsman for engineering firms in the Johnson City, Tennessee area and taught upper-level mathematics at an area college. Basil was united in marriage to his former class mate and love of his life Donna Parrish on May 2, 2014 at the Blue Springs, Missouri Church of Christ, the couple made their home in Johnson City and moved to Cairo, Missouri 3 years ago to be near family. He was a talented carpenter and woodworker, enjoyed raising rare birds, gardening, and loved to travel with Donna and was always ready to go “somewhere they hadn’t been.” He was an active member of the Central Church of Christ in Johnson City. Basil was known as being a kind, genuine, humble and true follower of Christ.
Basil is survived by his loving wife Donna of Cairo, Missouri, his daughters; Debbie (Andy) Vaughn of Chillicothe, Missouri and DeAnna Weaver of Cairo, Missouri, his 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: Richard “Gale,” Austin, and Sylva Barkley.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Grant Street Church of Christ in Unionville, Missouri with Doug Williams officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until service time at the church. Burial with full military honors will be held following the service at the Plainview Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be given to the Grant Street Church of Christ.
Casady-Luscan Funeral Solutions is honored to care for and minister to the Barkley family during this time.
