Marvin Barkis was very proud of having grown up on a farm in Kansas and having participated in the usual activities of a farm kid, like showing his 4-H calf at the Miami County Fair and running a haying crew to make extra money in summers. But when it came to choosing a livelihood, he realized that farmers work cold in the winter and hot in the summer, so he decided to study law. He attended Ottawa University (KS) and went on to Stanford Law School, graduating in 1968.
That same year he renewed a friendship with a college friend named Kay Jones; he renewed it so well he married her. The couple lived and worked for two years in the inner-city of Kansas City, MO. He was a Legal Aid Attorney and she taught school. It was the late ‘60s and the Civil Rights movement was in full force. Young people were still following JKF’s advice to ask “what they could do for their country.”
Marvin had always been a voracious and eclectic reader with a curious intellect, but there is some knowledge you can’t get from a book, it must be experienced. He wanted to see the world in an adventurous way, so he and Kay sold their belongings and took off, backpack-style, learning the world from Europe to Africa to Asia. His gift-of-gab and his ‘never meeting a stranger’ resulted in the best education EVER. At 6’4” and a broad-shouldered 230 lbs. yet always wearing a welcoming smile, he was something of a gentle giant who could find common ground, no matter the obstacles.
Returning home to their midwest roots, they settled in Paola, Miami County, where they resumed their professions and began their TRUE adventure of a lifetime–parenthood. Through the next decade the family grew to include Anne, Will, and John. In later life, Marvin was fond of saying, “I’ve done lots of exciting things in my life: I’ve flown planes, climbed mountains, traveled the world, but the biggest adventure–is raising children.”
That sense of the importance of how we care for our children became the driver of his efforts when he became a State Representative in Topeka. He was elected in 1978 and served through the ‘90s, being elected House Minority Leader within three terms. In 1990 when Democrats won the majority in the House, he served a term as Speaker of the House. Having only a one-vote majority over Republicans, even the pundits were impressed at how much was accomplished, particularly concerning children’s issues and school finance. Next to the birth of his children, it was probably his greatest source of pride.
He is survived by his wife Kay, his children and their spouses Anne and Matt, Will and Priya, John and Kristen, the best grandkids you could want–Eleanor and Teddy, Bhau and Brahma, and Marlo, and his lifelong game-playing buddy–his sister Marita Barkis and her husband Dave McKim.
Marvin touched family, friends, and so many different parts of his community with his wisdom, practicality, love, humor, and dedication. We’ll gather to share some reflections, some stories and laughs and hugs, and raise a toast to honor the impact he left.
A celebration of life will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Friday, October 11, 2024, at the Paola Town Square Events Center, 15 W. Wea Street, Paola, Kansas 66071.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the charity of your choice, in memory of Marvin.
