Eric Barkemeyer

Eric Paul Barkemeyer of Birmingham, Alabama (formerly of Davidson, North Carolina), passed away on May 20, 2026 at the age of 75 after a long, hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Originally from rural West Point, Mississippi, Eric graduated from Mississippi State University as a distinguished military student with an Agricultural-Business degree. After serving in the Army National Guard, he enjoyed a long, distinguished career in aquatic vegetation management, including 40 years of service and exemplary leadership with the Aquatic Plant Management Society (APMS), having served as both regional and national president.

Outside of work, Eric sang as a tenor in several church choirs throughout the years, loved the game of golf, cycling, and sharing his genuinely cheerful nature and legendary one-liners with friends and family. He was also actively involved in Our Towns Habitat for Humanity of Lake Norman, North Carolina for many years. Eric was a proud Mississippi State Bulldogs fan, which predictably became a great source of his frustration every fall. After he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2018, Eric also developed an interest in boxing through the PD Fight Club with Juarez Boxing in Irondale, Alabama, earning the nickname “Bazooka.”

Eric is survived by the love of his life and wife of 54 years, Nancy, daughter Julie Beaty (Scott), son Richmond (Lauren), and granddaughter, Emma Beaty, who always brightened her Pop Pop’s day. He is also survived by his beloved sister, Sylvia Williams (Joel) and dear friend and brother-in-law Daniel Hill and his wife Nancy. Eric also leaves behind extended family members and friends who will deeply miss him, including his incredible nursing team at Kirkwood By the River.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Paul Barkemeyer and Arebelle Webber Barkemeyer of West Point, Mississippi.

Funeral services will be held at a later date at Highlands United Methodist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Highlands United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region, or the Michael J Fox Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease.