Samuel Barger

Columbus, OH.  - Samuel Floyd Barger, 86, longtime member of the
Youngstown/Austintown community passed away peacefully Tuesday, October
11, 2022, with his family by his side.
Floyd was born and raised in Petrolia PA, the youngest child of Clarence "Dutch"
and Lillian (Jordan) Barger.  A prodigious child, he earned the nickname
"Statistics" among his friends for his facility with mathematics and numbers, his
encyclopedic memory, and love for all facts. After graduating as valedictorian of
Fairview Township-Karns City High School, he attended Clarion State Teachers
College.
While teaching mathematics and science in upstate New York, he met his wife,
Luraine, before moving to Minnesota, where Floyd attended graduate school and
they started their family. Floyd taught at the College of St. Thomas while earning
his Ph.D. in mathematics at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Barger joined the
faculty of Youngstown State University where he worked for 35 years,
specializing in graph theory and algebraic topology in addition to teaching and
advising.
Floyd's love of learning extended beyond the natural sciences, and he
maintained his sense of curiosity, wonder, and awe throughout his life. His affinity
for literature and poetry revealed itself in conversational allusions and memorized
recitations. A lover of puns and riddles, he created volumes of "Jumbles" and
games to share with his children and grandchildren. He studied history and
politics, the Bible, and loved baseball. Floyd prioritized his love of the arts. A
season ticket holder and board member of the Youngstown Symphony
Orchestra, he also traveled to nearby cities for plays and performances. Floyd
loved to dance.  In his retirement, he also took up hosting dinner parties -
cooking, baking, and creating games for his dear friends to enjoy.
Beyond his brilliance, Floyd was known for his thoughtful kindness and service to
his community. He was an active member of St. Patrick's Church, and a leader in
stewardship and the bereavement committee. A fixture of the Gleaners food
bank, he loved providing the annual Christmas dinner for families, and he
volunteered at St. Vincent DePaul. He served on the board of the Clarion
University Alumni Association. A member of the Austintown Optimist, the
Democratic club, and a regular enthusiastic volunteer at school and civic events,
Floyd was deeply committed to serving the community that embraced him and
lived by the tenet: "Family is whoever lets you love them, and your community is wherever you land. We all have an obligation to contribute to our community, wherever we are."   Thus, his family asks that in lieu of flowers or other tributes, friends and loved ones honor Floyd's legacy by contributing your time, talent, or treasure in your own community and think fondly of him as you do.
Floyd was preceded in death by his wife, M. Luraine Barger, brothers Meredith "Salty" and Art Barger, grandson Samuel Robert Barger.
He leaves behind his children: Michele (John) Jeffries of Zanesville, Matthew
(Sunny) Barger of Naples, FL, Susan (Victor) Kuchmaner of Charlotte NC, and
Ellen (Tony Helf) Barger of Santa Barbara, CA and grandchildren: Lindsey
(Ethan Flynn) Jeffries, Merrin (Tyler Camarata) Jeffries; Victor Kuchmaner,
Zachary Kuchmaner, Makenzie Kuchmaner, Jacob Kuchmaner, and Gabriel
Barger.  He will be greatly missed by his beloved nieces, nephews, cousins,
sisters-in-law and many dear friends.
A funeral mass will be held Saturday, October 29 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick's
Church in Youngstown, with calling hours before mass from 9:30-10:45 a.m. at
the front of the church. Friends are invited to gather with the family in the church
hall at the conclusion of mass for fellowship and celebration of life.

This obituary can be viewed and condolences sent to www.higgins-reardon.com.