One of the highlights in Dad’s Bible was in Mark 14:8 where it records how Mary brought the alabaster box of ointment to Jesus and broke it over His head and feet but some of the disciples were indignant at her open show of love and affection for Jesus. But Jesus in verses 6 & 8 said “Let her alone; why trouble ye her? … She hath done what she could.” In the margin beside that text, Dad wrote these two simple phrases – Do what you can! Give what you have!  I believe those two simple phrases accurately sum up how Dad endeavored to live his life in the time that the Lord gave him on this earth – he always did what he could and gave what he had in the service of his country and his Lord.

Barry Edwin Northcutt was born on February 11, 1960 to Bobby and Helen Northcutt and spent most of his childhood growing up in eastern Tennessee. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1980 where he wound up serving his country for 26 years. Shortly after enlisting, Dad found himself stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City in eastern NC, and it was there that his life would forever be changed by two very important events. You see, it was while he was stationed in Elizabeth City that Barry was introduced to, and fell in love with his sweetheart, Denise. They were married on September 16, 1983 and began their life together. A life of love and devotion that would last for more than 35 years.

The second event that would change Dad’s life forever took place on February 13, 1986. After discovering that they were expecting their first child, Barry and Denise, visited Faith Baptist Church in Elizabeth City on a random Sunday in February. The next Thursday, Pastor Larry Duffer and his youth pastor, Glenn Stevenson, Jr. visited them in their home and after opening the Bible and sharing the Gospel plan of salvation, Pastor Duffer led my Dad to the Lord that night. Dad’s decision that night changed his life completely and it allowed me and my siblings the incredible privilege of growing up in a home with parents who loved the Lord and taught us the truths of God’s Word. After his salvation, Barry and Denise immediately began to attend church and were involved in as many areas of ministry as possible.

Pastor Glenn Stevenson, who was the youth pastor at Faith when Dad was saved, writes this in memory of his friend and brother in Christ:

“In ministry, you find all kinds of people with all kinds of gifts and talents. Some selfishly withhold what God has given them, but others freely share of themselves and are blessing to the local church, their brothers and sisters in Christ, and most of all the furtherance of the Gospel.

Some 32 years ago, God brought into the church we were serving Barry and Denise Northcutt. As they grew and got involved, our fellowship and friendship deepened and our families grew close.

What I noticed in Barry was a servant, willing to be used by the Lord and an intense desire to follow Him and be obedient to the Bible. He would help with church ministry, youth ministry, and unselfishly give of his time and energy. He and Denise were always so ready to be like Aaron and Hur to hold up our hands and encourage when challenges of ministry would be intense. They would be like second parents to our children when we needed to be away at conferences and camp. In fact, when one of my sons was in Barry’s classes at Ambassador, he remarked how unique it was to be taught by someone who had disciplined him when he was little on one of those visits to their house. He even helped my sons in and out of college with their vehicles to help keep them running when they were here in the area.

Barry was willing to take a stand when it meant he and Denise standing almost completely alone but standing for Biblical truth.

When Barry retired from the Coast Guard, he looked forward to being able to be of greater service to the Lord in the local church.

He had a heart to help people, unselfishly give of himself, and has been a blessing to so many.

I appreciate his influence, his encouragement, his friendship, and example of service to our Lord.

I will miss my friend, Barry Northcutt, and will look forward to our fellowship that awaits in Heaven.”

— Glenn Stevenson

That same spirit and testimony continued in every church that Mom and Dad were ever a part of. Whether it was hosting missionaries in our home, teaching Sunday school classes in Elizabeth City, NC, organizing and starting a Masters Club kids program in Fredericksburg, VA, serving as church janitor and deacon in Kings Mountain, NC, heading up the housekeeping department at Ambassador Baptist College in Lattimore, NC, or just having college kids over for Thanksgiving and helping them keep their vehicles running during the school year, Barry was always serving, always giving.

Dad loved the outdoors and loved hiking and tent camping especially. Some of our fondest memories together as a family were made while doing those very activities. I remember our first time tent camping together as a family – it was just me and Mandy and mom and Dad. Mandy and I were about 8 and 9 years old and we had just gotten a 2-room tent big enough for all of us and so we drove up to the camp site, pitched the tent, cooks supper on the camp stove, and wouldn’t you know it? The very thing that you love to have happen when you camp out happened that night – it began to rain. And not just a shower, but a downpour. I remember dad out in the rain digging trenches to channel the water away from the tent and tying to get tarps over the tent to keep the rain off, and it was an adventurous night to say the least. And even despite all of that happening the first time out, we still went camping as a family after that.

Barry was also incredible at woodworking as well and could make almost anything for anybody and enjoyed surprising others with gifts that he had made. When Mandy and Brad (my sister and brother-in-law) opened up their Chiropractic office, Dad made a beautiful sign for their office and also a special chiropractic table which looked like a zebra for their younger children patients.

In late October of 2018, Barry was diagnosed with stage four aggressive melanoma, and after a short, but valiant battle with that cancer, on December 27, 2018, he went home to be with his Lord and Saviour whom he had served so faithfully all of these years. When Dad departed from this earth, the Lord gave us the glorious blessing of seeing Him enter heaven, not just in peace but with joy. In his last few days, Dad was unable to move or communicate with his face other than by blinking. But as Dad took his final breath on this earth, we saw a smile break across his face, and I am confident that that was the very moment when he met his Saviour face to face.

In conclusion, I would like to read just a few notes of remembrance that I have pulled from the many that have been sent over the last few days.

From his daughter, Mandy Gloyeske:
Some of my favorite childhood memories are when I was little and went to work with him at the Coast Guard base in D.C. And when I moved out on my own, he was always the one I’d call when things needed fixing because he could pretty much repair anything. I‘m so thankful that he was able to get to know Brad these last few years and got to spend time with Kendall. We love him dearly and he will be greatly missed.

From Wayne Wells:
We are praying for God’s special grace during this time in your lives. We have fond memories of your dad and family, and we know you will miss him greatly. Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

From Christopher Lowe:
May the Lord hold you and the family up and strengthen you at this time. Your dad was a great friend, mentor, and help. I greatly benefited from my many discussions with him. We are praying for your family’s comfort and wisdom at this time.

From Gloria Duarte:
Your father always greeted me with a smile and was a friend to my entire family. We will all miss him. You are in our prayers.

From Ken Dallas:
So sorry for your loss. He was a good coworker and friend and a Godly man he will be missed. Praying for the family

From Brian Swaffer:
So sorry for your family’s loss. What a blessing your father was to us and what a testimony he leaves behind. Praying for your family during this time.

From Pablo:
I’m so sorry for your loss! He was a dear friend and brother in Christ! He taught me so much over the years!

Barry Northcutt, or as I am privileged to call him – Dad, influenced many lives through his life here on this earth because he “did what he could, and gave what he had” in the service of his Lord. We miss him greatly, but we rejoice in the legacy and testimony he has left behind.

For those who were not able to attend the memorial service but would like to watch it, our church live-streamed and recorded the service and it is available for viewing on their YouTube channel at the following link:

Memorial Service for Barry Northcutt