Barry Mcghan

Barry Robert McGhan died Feb. 9, 2022 at Ascension Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc. He was born in Flint, MI on Nov. 30, 1939, the oldest child of Lois (née Resseguie) and Lawrence McGhan. He leaves his wife of 40 years, Katherine Maitland of Fenton; two brothers, Harlan McGhan (Josephine) of Hollister, CA, and Michael McGhan (Sarah) of Reno, NV; a sister, Kathleen McGhan Watchorn (Jim Verhanovitz) of Flint; two daughters from a previous marriage to Barbara McGhan (née Durell), Meredith McGhan (Andrew Dougherty) of Flint, and Pegeen Glavin McGhan (Michael McGhan Glavin) of Chicago, IL., with their children, his two grandsons, Ronan and Declan. He also leaves ten nephews and nieces, as well as numerous other relatives, friends and colleagues.

Barry grew up in Flint, graduating from Flint Northern High School in 1958. He then attended Flint Community College (now Mott Community College), planning to major in engineering, but grew interested in teaching shortly after transferring to Michigan State University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics in 1961. He then returned to Flint to begin a teaching career as a math instructor at the junior-high and, later, high-school levels. He also continued his own education, receiving a Master of Science degree in mathematics education from Syracuse University in 1964 and a doctoral degree in educational sociology from Michigan State University in 1977.

Teaching-a career earlier pursued by both his father and grandmother-was the perfect fit for Barry. An optimist by nature, he believed people could succeed despite a poor track record. This outlook made him an ideal instructor for at-risk high school students at the Flint Schools of Choice. Quick to see the potential of computer technology in education, he was himself an early adopter and, with the expertise gained, became an instructional specialist, helping other teachers incorporate computer technology in their classrooms. He also went on to work as an administrator in mathematics, and as an instructor at the Genesee Intermediate School District Skill Center, rounding out 30 years as an educator for Flint Community Schools.

In retirement, Barry continued working to improve public school education. He taught part time at Washtenaw Community College, designing a class to help teachers teach math. He created a non-profit foundation, the Center for Public School Renewal, and wrote and published numerous articles on education and other subjects. At West Shore Community College in Mason County, where his grandmother lived and raised his father, he established a scholarship fund for prospective teachers to honor their careers. He also took time to pursue his love of Civil War history and genealogy, self-publishing a book about the brother of one of his great-great-grandfathers, a Civil War veteran. Barry also was a dedicated volunteer for the blind with the Fenton Lions Club, which he served in numerous capacities.

Barry’s ashes will rest in the memorial garden of the First United Methodist Church in Ann Arbor, where his late father-in-law Fred Maitland was minister. A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 AM Friday, May 13, 2022 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake road, Fenton. Pastor Jeff Jaggers officiating. Visitation 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Thursday, May 12 and 10:00 AM Friday until the time of Service at 11:00 AM at the Funeral Home. Donations in Barry’s honor can be made to the Lawrence, Lula, and Lois McGhan Scholarship at West Shore Community College in Mason County and/or to the Fenton Lions Club.