Barry Richard Okin

Barry Okin passed away peacefully in his home in the early morning of August 10, 2024, after battling lung cancer. Barry was born on November 22, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York to Alexander Okin and Shirley Rosenbaum Okin. Barry attended high school and college in New York City. He received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from City College of New York and a master’s in business administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Barry worked his entire career at Exxon Chemical Company, first as a chemical engineer and later as a business executive, primarily in Exxon’s specialty chemicals business. He began his career with Exxon working at Exxon’s Elizabeth, New Jersey plant and moved with Exxon to Houston, Texas in the early 1970’s. Barry retired from Exxon after almost 40 years. He kept himself busy after retiring by doing consulting work and volunteering. He was an avid racquetball player and gave much of his time to serving on and chairing various condominium boards and committees. Barry also volunteered his time to Reading for the Blind and various other charities. Barry is survived by his loving wife, Marjory (Marge) Pais Okin. Barry and Marge shared 61 wonderful years together. They spent much of their free time traveling the world. Marge often accompanied Barry on his business trips to the Far East, Europe and South America. Together, Barry and Marge visited six continents and hardly missed any corner of the world in their travels. In later years when the pace of their travel had slowed, Barry and Marge spent their free time relaxing on the patio of their condominium in Galveston, Texas. In addition to Marge, Barry is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Matthew Okin and Dora Klaff, his daughter and son-in-law, Shari Okin and Peter Harris, as well as his grandchildren, Andrew Okin, Benjamin Okin, Rebecca Klaff, Maxim Overdijk, and great grandchild, Mika. The family would like to express its deep appreciation and gratitude to Barry’s caregiver, Cynethia McKinney, for her exceptional care and compassion this past year. Barry loved her and all of the caregivers who assisted him. The family is forever grateful for their help and support. Barry’s family and friends will continue to celebrate his life and accomplishments for many years to come. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barry’s name to the American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/) or to Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-gulf-coast). A memorial service will take place on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism (HCRJ), 801 Bering Drive, Houston, Texas 77057. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed by visiting https://hcrj.org/live-stream/. A shiva minyan will be held at the St. James Condominiums at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

Barry Richard Okin

November 22, 1939 - August 10, 2024