Visitation for Barry Lane Paulk will be held from 11AM until 1PM on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Magnolia Funeral 2026 with interment to follow at Craig Cemetery, Deville, LA.
Barry Lane Paulk, 65, of Pineville, Louisiana passed away on April 9, 2026. He was born on May 4, 1960, and grew up on Denny Road in Deville, Louisiana. He graduated from Buckeye High School and went on to study Chemical Engineering at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston before discovering his true calling in the skies above. Barry earned his pilot’s license at the Ruston Airport and never looked back. What began as flying privately for others grew into a distinguished career in aviation. He flew commercially for Atlantic Southeast Airlines, served as a private pilot for Rayford Enterprises and a private ministry, and ultimately became Chief Pilot and Head of Flight Operations for Crest Industries — a role that defined much of his professional life. He also owned his own aircraft, which he rented to aspiring pilots seeking their type ratings. In his later years he continued doing what he loved, ferrying aircraft internationally for buyers overseas. He was a man of remarkable skill and quiet intelligence who found his greatest freedom at altitude. Beyond the cockpit, Barry loved the Louisiana outdoors — hunting and fishing were lifelong passions. He was known by those who loved him as a smart, talented man with a warm and caring heart.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Huey Leon Paulk and Glenda Mae Denny Paulk, and his brothers Thomas Leon Paulk and Rex Owen Paulk.
He leaves behind his loving family to cherish his memory: his wife, Frankie Catherine Staton Paulk; his children, Dustin Paulk, Jena Paulk, Natalie Miller, and Joshua Paulk; his grandchildren, Brittney, Braden, Preston, Audistine, Eesha, Adonias, Zaniah, Jasper, Sapphire, Galton, and Sky; his brothers and sister, Shane (Wanda) Paulk, Stanley (Jackie) Paulk, Kevin Paulk, Judy (Chad) Luke, and Virgil (Shannon) Paulk; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.