Charlotte man to attend Nancy Reagan's funeral

Ken Barun lives in Charlotte and serves as Chief of Staff for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

He was in his 30’s when he first met Nancy Reagan and served as Director of Project and Policy for the First Lady while her husband was in office in the 1980’s.

He will be leaving Charlotte to at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California to attend the First Lady's funeral.

Earlier this week, Barun sat down with Channel 9 Sunday after learning of Nancy’s death and reminisced  about his long-time friendship with the former First Lady.

Just last week Barun said he received what he now knows will be his last ‘thank you’ letter from Nancy Reagan.

“The last letter was something like, ‘You always surprise me with beautiful flowers when I’m least expecting it.’ She would always sign it Nancy,” said Barun.

Barun said he’s been sending flowers to the first lady for the past decade.

“On birthdays, holidays- I didn’t want her to think we forgot about her,” said Barun.

Barun shared with Channel 9 pictures of major campaigns he and Nancy worked on together, including her drug awareness program ‘Just Say No’

Barun described Nancy Reagan as a nurturing woman with high expectations.

“One of her great lines was, ‘Ken, that’s why they put erasers on pencils,’ laughed Baron.  “That was when I would make a mistake.  She would also tell me to never assume.”

Barun said they were some of many life lessons he gained from the First Lady.

Now, he’s finding comfort through his faith, that Nancy Reagan is once again by her husband’s side.

“I pray that she’s with him right now,” said Barun. “That love affair deserves to be in heaven.”

Cox Media Group