On Saturday, July 21, our family member Roger Lawrence Barnhouse passed away while trying to save his son from a rip tide on Sunset Beach in North Carolina. His son was successfully pulled from the water by a fellow swimmer. Roger was rescued by a surfer nearby, but unfortunately passed after several attempts at revival.
The family received friends and family during a viewing on Saturday, July 28, at Wilkinson Funeral Home in Concord, North Carolina. A funeral service was held on Sunday, July 29, in the Wilkinson chapel, officiated by Bethany McLaughlin, with burial following at Cabarrus Memorial Gardens.
Roger was born on Oct. 2, 1976 in Bellingham to Roger Andrew Barnhouse and the late Elizabeth Wiseman Barnhouse. Having been born and raised in Washington, Roger was a lifelong University of Washington Huskies football fan. He was a huge fan of Star Wars, and Iron Maiden was one of his favorite bands.
Roger had many hobbies and loves. He loved heavy metal, computers, sci-fi books, movies, watching college football, grilling on his Traeger, serving as a scout leader and being with his family and friends. Roger also loved fishing and the outdoors. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy for four years. Roger’s biggest love was being a father to his sons, Thomas, 13, and Jacob, 8.
He is survived by his loving wife, Christina Juanita Sturgell Barnhouse; sons Thomas Mitchell Barnhouse and Jacob Lawrence Barnhouse; his father, Roger Andrew Barnhouse; sister Edna B. Jenkins; brother Corry Barnhouse, parents-in-law David and Cindy Sturgell, brothers-in-law Matt and Ryan Sturgell; nieces and nephews Mason and Ava Sturgell, Marissa and Maggie Lopez; and great-niece Sophia Gray.
The family thanks the North Carolina Sunset Beach Fire Department- Station 1 for the compassion and support extended in the hours after the incident.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up to assist the family with costs: https://www.gofundme.com/barnhouse-funeral-expenses.
Online condolences may be left at www.wilkinsonfuneralhome.com. Wilkinson Funeral Home is handling arrangements for the Barnhouse family.
