Steven Brooks "Steve" Barger, 74, died in Nashville,TN, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, surrounded by his family.  Born in Mayfield, KY in 1951, Steve was a proud Mayfield Cardinal, having played on both the Cardinal's golf and football teams.   He graduated with the class of 1970.

After high school, Steve attended the University of Tennessee at Martin, then joined Barger Realty before becoming a golf professional.  Steve served as the golf pro at Lake Barkley State Resort Park and then later at Kentucky Dam State Resort Park.  Though Steve enjoyed playing golf, he enjoyed teaching golf more, and the golf memories he shared most fondly were those of teaching and coaching others in the game he loved.  Late in his golf career, Steve worked for the Senior Professional Golf Association.

In the latter part of his working life, Steve worked for a substance abuse recovery organization, Lifetime Recovery, in Nashville, TN.  Steve began as a participant in the program, then helped schedule participant transportation, and eventually took on the role of building relationships with area businesses to help participants find employment as they moved through the recovery program.  Steve ultimately led the organization in partnership with his wife, Patricia.  Steve found significant meaning in helping others find employment and stability in recovery, and made lifelong friends there.

Steve was preceded in death by his father, Wayne Thomas "Butch" Barger, his mother, Nancy Jean Perkins Barger, and his brother, Wayne Thomas "Tommy" Barger II.

Steve is survived by his wife Patricia Sullivan Barger; sister Nancy Carol (Tom) Crick; daughter, Stephanie Brooks (Kate) Barger; niece, Chrysti-Carol Crick (Travis) Propes; grandchildren, Brooks, Jacob, and Beatrice Barger; and great nephews, Andrew and Ryan Propes.

The Rev. Gregory Waldrop will officiate a graveside memorial for Steven at 1:00PM on Friday, April 3, 2026 at Highland Park Cemetery in Mayfield.  Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery. Byrn Funeral Home in Mayfield, KY is in charge of arrangements.