On Friday, Oct. 10th in Kansas, the American flag will be flown from sunup to sundown at half-staff to honor the former Kansas Speaker of the House, Marvin William Barkis. Barkis died in July, but the celebration of his life is not until Friday.
Governor Laura Kelly ordered that flags are to be lowered to half-staff on all state buildings, grounds, and facilities as a tribute to Barkis. A Miami County native, Barkis passed away in a care facility at 81. He represented Miami County from 1978 to 1992. In 1984, his colleagues elected him to be the Minority Leader of the House, and in 1990, they selected him as Speaker of the House. He held the position until 1992. Barkis was only the third Democrat in Kansas history to hold the top position in the House.
Barkis' life will be celebrated from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Paola Town Square Events Center, 15 W. Wea Street, in Paola.