Barry C. Musgrove

Barry Craig Musgrove

1949-2026

Barry Craig Musgrove passed away at home in Bossier City, La., on November 9, 2026, with his family at his side. He was 77 years old.

Barry was born in Springhill, La., on October 13, 1949, to Julian and Beatrice (Brierly) Musgrove. He was a graduate of Springhill High School and attended Louisiana State University. As an LSU freshman finance major in 1968, Barry was set up on a blind date. He loved telling the story of watching this incomparable beauty come down the stairs of Evangeline dorm to greet him for the first time. He and Karen Jensen were an instant match and married just a year later. That marriage has lasted 57 years and has been the foundation for so many happy family memories.

Barry’s career as a banker was very important to him. He entered the field of finance in northwest Louisiana and, for 50 years, worked as a correspondent banker at American Bank, First National Bank, and, finally, TIB in Dallas. He rose through the ranks quickly and developed many colleague and client relationships that evolved into longtime friendships. His leadership abilities came into play beyond the banking business. For nine years, he represented the residents of South Bossier as a school board member, serving as President and testifying before the U.S. Supreme Court in the case Reno vs. Bossier Parish School Board. He retired in 2021.

Barry and Karen’s marriage is what the family often describes as the “gold standard” of relationships. They both shared a love of music — Barry was quite the guitarist, and even was part of a band in high school. He could often be found somewhere in the house strumming a guitar and softly singing. He and Karen danced and laughed and sang the oldies with embarrassing regularity. The pair loved to travel. Trips to England, Scotland and Ireland delivered plenty of stories down the pike, as well as travels to San Francisco, New York, New Bedford and Newfoundland with their best friends, the Knowles, in their motor home. Ask Barry what his favorite travel memory was and he’d likely say re-creating an authentic New England clam and lobster bake with the Knowles on the beach in Padanaram, Mass.

Barry’s sense of humor was legendary. He could make up a rhyming ditty with zero preparation, and he regularly recited one-liners from such favorite movies as The Outlaw Josey Wales and Tombstone, Blazing Saddles, Airplane, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. He was an avid boater, accomplished water skier, great cook (family favorites were his fried catfish, chicken piccata, and, of course, his famous Barry Burgers), and a diehard sports fan. LSU football and basketball were his passions. Barry and Karen tailgated at LSU football games for many years, setting up camp (elaborately) at their spot in front of Pleasant Hall and, later, the Lod Cook parking lot. He loved to drive to Baton Rouge for basketball games, and was particularly proud when his grandson Jensen attended LSU basketball camp for several years.

Above all, Barry was a family man. Their two children, Matthew and Anne, were the lights of his life. And then, when grandchildren came along and he became “Pop,”his love and pride swelled with the additions. Left to cherish his memory are wife of 57 years Karen Jensen Musgrove; son Matthew Heard Musgrove; daughter Anne Musgrove Spillum; grandchildren Jensen (Lindsey) Spillum, Jessica (Hudson) Spillum Owens, Andrew (Ashton) Musgrove, Emily Musgrove, and Grace Musgrove; and great-granddaughter Amelia Jensen Musgrove. He is also survived by his two sisters Beverly McCullen and Deidra Owens, a host of nieces and nephews, and two very special “sisters,” twins Katherine Jensen Boccaccio and Liz Jensen Daws. He was pre-deceased by his parents and beloved older brother Byron.

The Musgrove family will hold a private ceremony at a later date.