George Scarborough -- Detroit Lakes

George Barry Scarborough was born July 15, 1942, to George Benston "Duke" Scarborough and Laura Mae Fowler in Houston, Texas. He graduated from Bentley High School in Livonia, Mich., in 1961.

From 1961 to 1965, he served in the U.S. Navy near Pensacola, Fla. On Oct. 3, 1964, in Mobile, Ala., Barry wed Mary Lee Taylor, and they had two daughters while living in Houston.

He worked for IBM as a computer programmer from 1965 until retirement in 1995. In 1977, Barry accepted a transfer with IBM, and the family moved to Rochester. In 2015, declining health led Barry and Mary to move to Detroit Lakes, to live with their eldest daughter and her husband.

Barry died at Essentia Hospital in Fargo, N.D., Thursday, April 12, 2018.

Barry was a "jack of all trades." Once he put his mind something, he could do it. His primary hobbies were computer programming, wood and metal working, astronomy, gardening, and wine-making.

Yet, Barry’s main interest in life was the study of the Bible, and he was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness in June 1973. As an active Jehovah’s Witness, he spent much time researching different Bible topics, attending Christian meetings at the Kingdom Hall, and zealously teaching others about God’s Word.

Barry’s thirst for knowledge and sense of humor will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Duke and Laura, and younger sister, Suzanne (Forrest) Blaney. He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters, Celicia "CC" (Chris) Kirsch and Sherry Scarborough (Dennis Meyer Plaza); and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Detroit Lakes, Minn.