Darrington man named county’s top dad

Published 10:23 pm Saturday, March 15, 2008

EDMONDS — A Darrington man was named Father of the Year in Snohomish County in a ceremony Saturday night at the Edmonds Conference Center.

Tom Barkholz, 50, was one of three dads who had been selected as finalists for the award. The other finalists were Don Layton, 61, of Everett and J.J. Frank, 37, of Stanwood.

Barkholz said the award is more than he deserves. All three finalists should be considered winners, he said.

“This has been quite an honor, something that will be cherished for a lifetime,” he said.

Barkholz, a marine carpenter, was nominated by his son, Stephen, who is now 17. Stephen was adopted when he was a week old. At age 8, he was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, which can cause social deficits.

Stephen usually has trouble describing his emotions, but he did just fine in his nomination letter, Barkholz said.

“I’m blessed,” Barkholz said. “What can I say?”