Brian  Gale " Panda"  Barcus, 58, died March 11, 2023 at his home in St. Peters Missouri.

Brian was born September 24, 1964 at Woodland Hospital in Moberly. When he was 3, his parents moved from Columbia back to the Moberly area. He spent his first year of school in the Westran schools before the family moved to a ten acre farm southwest of Moberly, beginning a lifelong love of animals. He helped by doing chores with the family horses, chickens, and rabbits while finding time to fish in the two ponds on the property. Brian also spent time in the woods exploring or, in winter, helping his father cut trees for the wood stove. Early on, Brian found inspiration in the James Harriot books he and his mother would read. Brian had an interest in becoming a veterinarian but upon graduating from Moberly Senior High School in 1982, he attended Moberly Area Community College and decided on a career in computer programming. He worked as a programmer for several companies including CBS (Moberly), Mastercard, Boeing and most recently the London Stock Exchange. 

Brian enjoyed books. From mysteries to science fiction, Brian explored the past, present and future, from Middle-earth to galaxies far far away through his love of reading. Aside from those travels, he never missed the chance to go, with family, to the Missouri State Fair. Brian acquired the name “Panda” when his daughter Rachael was in middle school. Other kids’ moms were being called ‘mamma bear’. Pappa bear didn’t quite fit Brian. His greying beard and round face reminded Rachael of a panda and the name stuck, he even built a small collection of panda products and t-shirts. Brian also collected fountain pens, pipes and wine. During high school, he began playing Dungeons and Dragons with his brother, cousins and other friends - a game he went on to enjoy for decades.

Brian loved cooking and baking, his family also loved his cooking and baking. He enjoyed his pets who were always on his lap or close by. However, the last couple years, his favorite little one to hold has been his grandson Wayne.

He is survived by his parents Montie and Gail Barcus, his children Jacob, Rachael and son in-law Brandon and grandson Wayne, his brother Timothy and sister in-law Anita, his sister Laura and brother in-law Drew, as well as several cousins, aunts, uncles and two nieces.

Brian was preceded in death by his father’s parents Von and Edith Barcus and by his mother’s parents Roy and Mabel Dowdy.

Words of comfort and support were shared with the family at a visitation in the Cater Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral services honoring Brian’s life followed.  Private committal prayer and burial took place at Oakland Cemetery.