Noel Douglas Barch's Obituary
Noel Douglas Barch, 74, of Tallahassee, Florida, died June 11, 2026, at the First Commerce Center for Compassionate Care in Tallahassee, Florida after a brief illness.
Doug was born Dec. 8, 1951, in Columbus, OH, to Charles and Mildred Barch. He was the youngest of five sons. In 1965, the family moved to Marianna, FL, where Doug attended Marianna High School, graduating in 1969. After graduation, he spent a year back in Ohio. He returned to Florida to attend Tallahassee Community College and Florida State University and graduated from FSU in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications.
Doug spent much of his career doing what he loved: telling stories and communicating with people. He worked as a reporter and newscaster at WBGM (FM-99) in Tallahassee before serving as assignments editor at WECA Television, now WTXL-TV. In 1984, he joined Florida State University's Media Relations Office as a radio and television specialist, helping produce television commercials and promotional features for the university. His distinctive voice could be heard narrating public service announcements, network commercials broadcast during FSU athletic events, and recruiting videos. Doug later worked for the Florida Department of Transportation as a videographer and training coordinator, retiring in 2014.
In 1971, Doug met “the love of his life,” Becky Thurston. They married on June 26, 1976, at Faith Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee and built a life together that spanned nearly five decades. Most years on their wedding anniversary, Doug posted a sweet message to Becky on his Facebook page, always highlighting his abiding love for her.
Their son, Jonathan Frederick Barch, was born on July 18, 1988. For Doug and Becky, Jonathan hung the moon. A kid at heart himself, Doug adored his son. Doug and Becky planned special summer vacations — going places like Branson, Missouri, Six Flags Over Georgia and Walt Disney World. One of Doug’s (and Becky’s) favorite things to do was watch Jonathan play roller hockey and lacrosse. Jonathan was a founding member of the Chiles High School Lacrosse Team, playing midfield wearing jersey #14.
Sadly, Jonathan died in a car crash on Dec. 20, 2004, at age 16. No loss could have been greater. With Becky at his side, Doug carried his grief with courage, love and grace for the rest of his life.
Together, they continued to honor Jonathan's life and memory and the character he embodied of kindness, hard work, positivity and acceptance. Beginning in 2005, Doug donated his talents in digital photography and videography to the Chiles Lacrosse Team, shooting photos and videos at nearly every home game and many away games for more than 15 years. He gave his heart to generations of Chiles lacrosse players in honor of Jonathan. In 2005, Doug and Becky presented the first Jonathan Barch Teamwork Award, and it has been given each year since to a player who personified Jonathan’s qualities of putting the team over self, leading through actions, and helping make those around him better. For over 20 years, Doug managed Jonathan’s award program with passion and pride.
Doug and Becky also annually donate backpacks full of school supplies to students in need at Hawks Rise Elementary School, where Jonathan attended second grade through fifth grade.
Through Doug’s involvement with Becky in the Tallahassee Chapter of The Compassionate Friends, he served and helped other grieving parents when they needed it most. Doug often attended visitation services of newly bereaved parents, letting them know they weren’t alone and that he truly understood their pain and profound grief.
To know Doug was to know a man larger than life. He was loud and outspoken, passionate and funny, tender and vulnerable, caring and full of heart. He could be stubborn and irksome, but he could also make you laugh. He loved deeply and was devoted to his family, and fiercely loyal to the people he cared about.
Doug was a “bonus older brother” to Becky’s younger siblings, Lee and Bob Thurston and Karen Thurston-Chavez. He was part of their lives for more than 50 years, and none of them can think of their childhoods without thinking of Doug and the positive impact he had on all of them. They weren't the only generation whose lives Doug touched; their children also have warm recollections of their Uncle Doug, especially nights spent at Doug and Becky's house with their cousin Jonathan. Doug would tell spooky stories and play kick-the-can with them in the family's enormous backyard.
Doug’s passions also extended to photography, local car shows (Cars and Coffee) and exploring lighthouses up and down the southeast coast with Becky.
For those who loved him, he was a husband, father, brother, uncle, friend and storyteller. He was, in every sense, one-of-a-kind.
Doug was preceded in death by his son, Jonathan Frederick Barch; his parents, Charles and Mildred Barch; two brothers, Karl and Kurt Barch; and his mother- and father-in-law, George and Maryjane Thurston.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Becky Thurston Barch of Tallahassee; brothers Erich (Judy) Barch of Hollywood, FL, and Robin Barch of Columbus, OH; sister-in-law, Susan Barch (Kurt) of Woodstock, GA; brothers-in-law, Lee (Eydie) Thurston of Stephens City, VA, and Bob (Linda) Thurston of Woodbridge, VA; a sister-in-law, Karen Thurston Chavez (Joaquin); nieces Angela, Rhonda, Katrina, Kara, Erin, Diane, Lauren; nephews Andrew, Bryan, Paul, Jim, Eric, Martin and William; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and many extended family members and numerous friends.
Doug's celebration of life will be held Tuesday, June 23, at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 2198 N. Meridian Road, Tallahassee. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall, with burial immediately after at Oakland Cemetery, 838 N. Bronough St., Tallahassee.
If unable to attend, livestream available through, https://www.facebook.com/ststephentallahassee/
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
The Doug Barch Timberwolf Fund, P.O. Box 12692, Tallahassee, FL 32317-2692.
The Compassionate Friends of Tallahassee, c/o St Stephen Lutheran Church, 2198 N. Meridian Road, Tallahassee, FL 32303.
Big Bend Hospice, https://bigbendhospice.org/foundation/donate/, or by mailing a check to Big Bend Hospice Foundation, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308.
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