Barry Klein

IRONWOOD, Mich. — Barry Klein, 74, of Ironwood, died peacefully Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, at home, with his loving wife by his side, following a three-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born Feb. 5, 1941, in Paterson, N.J., son of the late Joseph and Nellie (Maines) Klein, and graduated from Pompton Lakes High School in 1958. He then attended Montclair State College in Clifton, N.J. prior to serving stateside in the U.S. Air Force. Following discharge from the Air Force, Barry finished his college degree in physical education at Montclair and furthered his teaching studies at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla. He then taught history and social studies and coached track and cross country in New Jersey and Oklahoma. His greatest achievements were in Little Axe, Okla., where he initiated track and cross country programs which produced several state championships and many all-state runners, and was very well respected by his peers and student athletes. After coaching briefly at St. Gregory’s College in Shawnee, Okla., he moved to Ironwood in 2008.

Barry loved everything about long distance running. His hobbies included model railroading and reading, and he was a big New York Yankees and New York Giants fan. He was much loved by his family and many students and will be dearly missed.

On June 20, 1988, he married the former Heidi Perkovich of Ironwood in Oklahoma City, Okla. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Kevin, New York, and Thomas (Kelly), Oklahoma City; a grandson, Tayber Klein; his first wife, Mary Webb, Edmond, Okla .; brothers-in-law, Peter (Barb) Perkovich, Bessemer, and Paul Perkovich, Shakopee, Minn .; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be held in the St. Joseph Family Room at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood on Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Robb Jurkovich, celebrant.

Luncheon will follow in the parish hall.

Private interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.