Barry Airhart Steenbergen

Barry Airhart Steenbergen was born on October 29, 1957, to Jimmy Jo and Barbara (McDonald) Steenbergen. He passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, July 21, 2026.

Barry spent his early years on the south side of Fort Worth. After his father graduated from seminary, the family moved to Godley, where Barry made lifelong friends and left lasting impressions through church, school, and community activities. Later, the family moved to Malakoff to serve another church and become part of a new small-town community.

A few years later, the next stop was Commerce, Texas. While living there, Barry developed a deep love for basketball. He spent countless hours around the local college, often finding opportunities to play in fraternity intramural games. Around the age of 15, Barry and his family returned to the Metroplex, where he eventually attended Crowley High School and continued playing basketball. Barry was known by everyone at Crowley High School and was honored as the team's Most Improved Player.

Barry wore many hats throughout his life, both literally and figuratively. He worked as a concrete foreman at the nuclear power plant in Glen Rose, where he reconnected with his first-grade sweetheart, Regenia McClain-Hankins, who later became his wife and the mother of his children.The family eventually moved to East Texas, where Barry started his own concrete business. After several years of running the business, they returned to the Metroplex, and Barry enlisted in the United States Army. He was proud to serve in the 82nd Airborne Division, but due to medical conditions, he was forced to medically retire.

In the next chapter of his life, Barry moved his family back to Crowley, the town he proudly called home. He became a mail carrier, a role perfectly suited to his outgoing personality. Delivering mail gave Barry the opportunity to visit with just about everyone in town, and he rarely met a stranger.Unfortunately, additional health issues eventually forced Barry to retire once again. Rather than letting those challenges define him, he focused his energy on his children and the young athletes of Crowley. This opened the door for him to become deeply involved in the local sports community.You could often find Barry coaching, organizing open gyms, running the clock, taking tickets at the gate, or working the concession stand. He became a familiar face at sporting events throughout Crowley and was one of the pillars of the community. For more than 20 years, he invested in countless student-athletes, encouraging them, cheering them on, and making each of them feel important.

Above all else, Barry loved his children and grandchildren. They were the center of his world, and there was nothing he wouldn't do for them. Whether he was cheering from the stands, offering advice, sharing a meal, or simply showing up when they needed him, his family always came first. His grandchildren knew him best as "Stinky Papa," a nickname he wore proudly and one that always brought smiles, laughter, and countless treasured memories. Some of their favorite memories will be of his big hugs, silly jokes, endless stories, and the way he made each of them feel special. Being a father and grandfather was Barry's greatest joy, and the love he had for his family was evident in everything he did.

As the years passed, Barry's mobility became more limited, making it difficult for him to stand or walk for long periods of time. Yet that never stopped him from getting out and connecting with people. You could often find him driving around town, stopping to visit with friends, or sitting down for a meal at Fastaco, Boo Ray's, or Sonic.

One of Barry's favorite pastimes was eating. Anyone who knew him likely witnessed his famous "food dance" at least once. But it wasn't just the food he loved, it was the fellowship. Going out to eat with Barry always meant extra time because he was going to visit with everyone, tell stories, and, without fail, clean his plate.Something many people may not know about Barry was how much he loved to travel. He visited Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, but those weren't necessarily his favorite trips. What he loved most was visiting friends and family.

He made many drives to Kerrville to visit his dad, to St. Louis to see his sister and cousins, and to Kentucky to spend time with family there. He also drove to both Florida and California, making it fair to say he traveled coast to coast. Along the way, he stayed with friends and family, creating memories wherever he went. Most of these adventures happened before GPS, relying instead on careful planning, paper maps, and a trusted co-pilot by his side.

Barry was a fighter who embraced life to the fullest despite the many medical challenges he faced. He fought hard to live, to laugh, and to enjoy every moment. He was known for his big smile, his warm hugs, and his ability to light up any room.He loved dancing, singing, and never wanted the night to end. If you spent an evening with Barry, there was a good chance it would end at Waffle House, Denny's, or Whataburger sometime in the early hours of the morning.

Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Jimmy Jo Steenbergen and Barbara McDonald-Wathen, and his brother-in-law, Tom Roach.He is survived by his brother, Robert Steenbergen; his sisters, Brenda McDonough and husband, Michael McDonough, and Karen Roach.He is also survived by his daughter, Cathy Williams-Ridley; his son, Cody Torian; and his son, Barry Don Steenbergen and wife, Missy Steenbergen.

Barry was a proud grandfather to five grandchildren: Hayden Torian, Kendall Torian, Fallyn Ridley, Alyssa Steenbergen, and Mia Steenbergen.He also leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, along with countless friends whose lives were touched by his kindness, generosity, and unforgettable personality.

Barry never met a stranger. Whether at a ballgame, a restaurant, a church gathering, or simply driving through town, he made people feel seen, valued, and welcomed. His legacy lives on through the family he loved, the community he served, and the countless lives he impacted along the way.