BARTELSVILLE, Okla. — David Barry was a man with a goal, and he wanted to run the distance of the equator.
Barry made it 90% of the way before he hit a road block.
After he passed away Saturday, the family and community now mourn the loss of Barry.
His sister Lisa Martin says she moved to Bartlesville to take care of her father. When it was his time to go, they had plenty of time to say their goodbyes.
“It was a bit of a shock to us, because he was really doing well," Martin said. "We knew it was imminent he has ALS. But he was doing well, and then all of a sudden his body just wore out."
With the help of Ainselys Angels of Tulsa and other organizations, he was able to complete one last race last November before his body no longer allowed it.
“it just really taught us that it truly is all about love and if you don’t take the time, if we didn’t take the time to move, to be here, we would’ve missed a beautiful part of his life," Martin said.
In the last year, he was restricted to his bed, and he wore a breathing mask.
But when his time came, the family says he stayed strong long enough for them to say goodbye.
The family wants to continue to spread awareness about ALS.
They have joined multiple organizations to continue to raise money to find a cure.
A funeral mass for Barry will be held at St. John Catholic Church on Thursday at 2 p.m.
To view Barry's obituary and memorial services, click here.
If you would like to make a donation towards research for developing a cure for ALS, then click here.
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