Barry E Poche

Pastor Barry Poche passed from this life to eternity on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, surrounded by family in Ft. Smith, Arkansas at the age of 75.

Barry E. Poche was born April 26, 1947, the son of Sidney V. and Ruby (Robertson) Poche in Little Rock, AR.  He married Beverly Johnson on August 31, 1968, in Los Altos, CA. 

Barry served in the US Army, worked for McDonald Douglas. He pastored for many years in California and Oklahoma, before he started his own Chaplain Company, Workforce Ministry Inc. which he started in 2010. He touched many lives in this ministry. He was a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and the NLC Church.  Barry attended NLC of Fort Smith Arkansas where he led life group for many years. He loved to worship with others at church and was very involved.

He was a man of God, who loved God and people. He devoted his life to serving not only God but others. He was always ready to serve and help others. He had a passion for God and others and for teaching and training others. He was a great example of how to serve and how to love others and show the love of God. He had fond memories of the bus ministry, door to door evangelism, and the youth ministry. He would tell fond stories of the youth group and all the things that they would do and how close they were. It was a privilege for him to serve in this capacity with the youth group. He had touched many more lives than even he realized. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He had many great adventures with his grandchildren and made many memories. He was loved by not only his family but many more. He will be missed by many. The world has lost a great man of God, and teacher.

He was selfless, a protector, he was thoughtful, he accepted all, he was humble, he was insightful, he was an uplifter, he spoke positive words to others, he built others up.  He wasn’t too proud to admit mistakes and to learn and grow from them. He loved Facebook and loved it even more when people hit like on his post. He loved talking to people. He listened with intent when people talked, he genuinely cared about others and what they had to say.  He never met a stranger.  In his weeks in the hospital, he met many people and even in his battle he never made it about himself he always wanted to get to know them and see how he could Minister to them and would pray for many of the staff.  Even in his final days and hours he spent his time pouring into others, speaking blessings onto the staff and making sure they knew they did a great job.

He was so blessed by all the visits, calls, and texts.

He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Barry is survived by his wife, Beverly of the home; daughters Shelly Fish and husband Ray, Jamie Ortega and Jon Stacey; four grandchildren, Duece Mounger, Joshua Lowry, Emma Ortega and Ezekiel Ortega; one brother, Sidney V. Poche Jr.; a host of church family and friends. 

Celebration of Life Funeral services are scheduled at 10:00 am Monday, March 27, 2023, at the New Life Church South Dallas, located at 9000 S. Dallas Street, Ft. Smith, Arkansas; burial will follow in the Oakland Cemetery in Poteau, Oklahoma with Military Honors.

Visitation will be held at New Life Church on Sunday beginning at 6:00 pm. All friends and family are invited to attend.

Arrangements by Mt. Olive Funeral Home in Hugo, Oklahoma.

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