Barry Michael Levit

Barry Michael Levit

Barry Michael Levit, 74, passed away at home on February 25, 2024. Barry was born in Cleveland, Ohio January 15, 1950, the son of Harold and Frieda Levit. He was a 1968 graduate of Shaker Heights High School. He received a BA in Social Work from the University of Toledo in 1972 and was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. In 1978 he received a master’s degree in education from Washington State University.

At age 13 Barry traveled to Europe and this instilled in him a lifelong desire for travel and adventure. After college, he hitchhiked across the US. He then spent several months in England and Greece with his friend John, where they worked construction. After returning home Barry applied to the Peace Corp which led to him becoming a Vista volunteer. He was sent to Nome, AK and his Alaska adventure began. He married Kate Angnabooguk in 1976 and they had two children, Timothy and Casey. After his service as a Vista Volunteer, Barry began working for the State of Alaska. Life in Alaska was a challenge, from gathering coal on the beach for heat, having a honey bucket for a bathroom, to ice fishing and experiencing the finish of the Iditarod dog race each year.
In 1981 the family moved to Fairbanks, AK. Barry continued to have various positions with the State as well as a private practice as a mental health therapist. In 1991 the family moved to Vermont; a dream Barry had always had. However, Alaska called him back and they returned to Fairbanks in 1993. Barry worked as a Child Custody Investigator, a social worker for Juvenile Justice, and continued his private practice. He traveled extensively to many of the remote villages of Alaska, which he so enjoyed.

Barry’s passion was baseball. He loved to play the game and was the ultimate Cleveland Indians fan. In 1988 Barry realized a dream of attending Mets Fantasy Baseball Camp in Florida. He played with the major league players, even had his own baseball card in which he was called “Mush Levit.” One of the highlights was when he hit a triple against a major league pitcher.  A lifelong friend of Barry’s was Eddie Cohen.  They grew up next door to each other, played hours of ball, rode bikes and remained lifelong friends. They would often call each other and together watch the Indians game. Sadly, Eddie passed the day after Barry.

In 2004 Barry moved to Homer, AK. He had met the love of his life, Jody, and they were married on the bluff overlooking beautiful Kachemak Bay in July of 2006. Friends and relatives from across the country traveled to the event. His sister Leslie and Jody’s sister Phyllis performed the ceremony. The newlyweds traveled to Costa Rica for their honeymoon and fell in love with the country. So much so that they bought a small macadamia nut farm with plans to spend winters there and summers in Alaska. Jody designed the house they planned to build on the farm. However, life would take an unexpected turn. Barry’s father had always instilled in him that he must take care of family. The opportunity arose when it became necessary to do just that. Barry and Jody began to foster Barry’s grandchildren and eventually adopted Kyra, Ava and Jack. Life then became diapers, baby bottles, car seats and nannies. Barry would take Kyra to the “mommy and me” classes each week. This led to Barry becoming a board member of the Birth to 3 Programs, a non-profit dedicated to helping parents nurture early child development.

The life adventure continued when in 2011 the family made the decision to move to Whidbey Island WA. With three toddlers, a nanny, a dog and two mini vans they boarded the Alaska State Ferry and traveled for five days to Washington. There they purchased a small mini farm in Langley. They soon had sheep, chickens and ducks and the city kid fell in love with farm life. The next few years were filled with 4-H fairs, soccer and baseball games and dance recitals. Barry helped coach little league and taught Jack the game. He continued to do private practice in Oak Harbor, WA. In 2023 the family moved to Lawrence, KS. Barry just couldn’t give up being a Seattle Seahawks fan even though he was deep in Kansas City Chiefs territory. He continued his private practice via Telehealth, a profession he so enjoyed, until his death.
Barry is survived by his wife Jody, his children Kyra, Ava and Jack of the home, his sons Timothy and Casey of Fairbanks, AK, his stepson Garrett Gonzales of Afton, WY. his sister Leslie Levit Friedman of Phoenix, AZ and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Services on Whidbey Island will be June 8 at 2 p.m. at St. Augustine’s in the Woods Episcopal Church in Freeland, WA.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Hebrew Free Loan Association of WA state. Hflawa.org or may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13^th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.