Barry Joe Cown

Barry was born in Rockmart, Georgia as the oldest child of Mildred and Carl Cown. He loved playing instruments, listening to music, drawing and having lots of fun. Despite early tragedies including the death of his brother and playmate at a young age Barry continued to find joy in life in every stage.

It was hard to find Barry without a smile on his face. He took delight in most aspects of life whether it was a good conversation, a good meal or watching the YellowJackets play football.

After high school he served in the Navy for 4 years and then worked at Lockheed. He met Sarah and then began studying physics at Georgia Tech. While earning his bachelor’s degree his daughter Wendy was born - his pride and joy. He earned his doctorate in physics and worked at Georgia Tech Research Institute until he moved on to new pursuits.

Barry enjoyed visiting new places and he never met a stranger. To meet him was to like him. He fulfilled a dream of living in France by living there with Sarah and Wendy for a year in 1984. Still, he always loved calling Georgia home.

He loved being a research physicists at Georgia Tech. And many nights he’d work in his home “office” trying to create new ways of understanding radars and antennas. Always wanting more independence, his work led to founding his own company and eventually joining forces with French colleagues.

While his love of physics remained he wanted new challenges and took on new adventures including moving to Nashville to try his hand in the music business. In every endeavor he brought his generous nature and love of learning. He couldn’t stay away from Georgia for long and returned to settle in Marietta.

His greatest joy was always family. With the birth of his grandchildren he found a new and favorite role. Whether it was visiting them in San Francisco, having them visit him in Georgia, spending time with them at Sarah’s house especially at Christmas, or the many FaceTime calls he doted on them endlessly.

Barry passed on Sunday Aug 27 at 82 years young. He is survived by loving first wife Sarah, daughter Wendy (Ben), grandchildren Asher and Ella, siblings Ted (Karen) and Joan, niece Carla, nephew Kevin (Christine), grand-nephew Judah, grand-niece Josie and beloved cousins and extended family.