Barney was welcomed by his Savior Jesus and by his wife Joyce on Saturday, November 30, 2024, in Oak Harbor, Washington.

Barney was born on November 5, 1932, in Oak Harbor, to Egbert and Betty Beeksma. Barney had three younger siblings, Beverly Kingma, Ed Beeksma, and Stan Beeksma. He attended First Reformed Church for almost nine decades.

He graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1950 and went on to graduate from Whitworth University with a degree in business in 1954. At Whitworth, he met the love of his life, Joyce Dudeck, who was from Spokane.

Whitworth University remained dear to Barney and Joyce’s hearts, and they supported several major capital projects, such as a sports facility and campus chapel and theology center.

Barney and Joyce were married on August 22, 1954. Barney served in the US Army in Korea for two years. Upon his return, the couple returned to his hometown. Soon after, he was hired as the manager of Island Savings and Loan. Under his leadership over the next 40 years, Island Savings and Loan (later InterWest Savings Bank) grew from two employees to over 900 employees in 65 offices. In 1988, he was asked to be Chairman of the U.S. Savings League, representing 3,200 banks and savings associations.

Barney organized the NAS Whidbey Task Force to keep NAS Whidbey from being closed in 1991. NAS Whidbey was one of the very few bases nationwide that were successfully removed from the closure list. Barney served for two years in the Washington State Legislature representing the 10th District. Barney also served in church and denominational leadership over many decades. He was a proud Rotarian for many years.

Barney loved riding his horse at a full gallop across the fields of Whidbey Island. He loved salmon fishing, pheasant hunting, deer and elk hunting, hiking, swimming, waterskiing, and snow-skiing with his children and grandchildren.

While successful in business, Barney’s higher priorities were God, his wife, his children, and his community. He and Joyce were in love and happily married for 65 years. They had three children: Joan and Clark Donnell of Chelan; Mark and Diane Beeksma of Sandpoint, Idaho; and Julie and Kenton Dale of Oak Harbor. They provided ten grandchildren: Kelsea Donnell, Scott (Amy) Donnell, Stacey (Alex) O’Farrell, Joshua Beeksma, Bradley (Morgan) Beeksma, Stuart (McKenna) Beeksma, Andrew (Amaris) Beeksma, Alyssa (Bradley) Rehwaldt, Heather (Serge) Bakire and Tom (Akasha) Dale; plus ten great grandchildren.

His family is so grateful for his love and his faithful legacy.

Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com