Edward Richard Barkowsky

Dr. Edward Richard Barkowsky of Abilene, formerly of Snyder, died on October 4, 2026, at the age of 84. He is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Judith Katherine (Self) Barkowsky, and his daughters, Lesa Starkins (Gregory) of Lloyd Harbor, NY, and Holly Bynum (Bart) of Ovalo, TX.

Ed was born in Lamesa, Texas, on January 12, 1942, to Franz Richard Barkowsky and Annie Ottlie (Monthey) Barkowsky and grew up working hard on a cotton farm in Dawson County with his three siblings, Eugene Barkowsky, Joyce Davidson and Harvey Barkowsky. He graduated from Flower Grove School, where he was valedictorian of his class of eight and achieved the Future Farmers of America Texas State Farmer degree. He and Judy met while working in the administration building at Texas Tech University and they married on May 31, 1964, shortly after Ed graduated. After a year at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri, Ed and Judy returned to Lubbock, where Ed earned his master’s degree from Tech. They then moved to Muncie, Indiana, where Ed completed his PhD at Ball State University.

Fondly known as Dr. B to his many students, Ed was a founding faculty member at Western Texas College in Snyder and taught English literature, composition and ethics there for almost 40 years. He also taught hundreds of off-campus students through WTC’s extension programs at area high schools and in the state prisons. Each year, WTC awards the Edward R. Barkowsky Education Award, which recognizes a current or former faculty or staff member whose service has made a lasting difference for the college, its students or the community. A building on campus was also named Barkowsky Hall in his honor.

Ed was a “girl dad” and he and Judy sat through many band concerts, football halftime marching shows and piano recitals. He was the president of the West Texas Girl Scout Council for several years. Ed was also heavily involved in the United Way and in Historic Scurry County, a member of the board of the Scurry County Museum for a number of years, and an active member of the former First United Methodist Church in Snyder.

A life-long lover of books and music, Ed was interested in everything from World War II to the ecology of Yellowstone, from comparative religion to Shakespeare and Dickens; while touring the Sistine Chapel, he knew more than the tour guide. He enjoyed woodworking and woodcarving and spent many happy hours in his workshop creating pens and Santas for friends and family, and he could rebuild an engine and repair everything around the house. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, whether reading, telling stories, building birdhouses or hunting for fossils. Ed also adored classical music and spent many happy hours listening to his extensive record collection.

Ed was predeceased by his parents and siblings. In addition to his wife and daughters, he is survived by grandchildren Connor, Brenna and Cameron Starkins, and Owen (Brylee), Aidan and Ivy Bynum, as well as sisters-in-law Joy Cook Barkowsky and Liz Chick Barkowsky, nephews Kelvin and Steven Barkowsky and niece Annie Cross, as well as many grand-nieces and -nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 10am on Friday, October 9th, at Hillside Memorial Gardens in Snyder under the direction of Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home. Afterwards, family and friends are invited to remember Ed and celebrate his life at a gathering at the Western Texas College Visitor Center. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ed’s name may be made to the Western Texas College Foundation, 6200 College Avenue, Snyder, TX 79549, or to Historic Scurry County, Inc., P.O. Box 382, Snyder, TX 79550.