George W. Barber
George W. Barber | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 11, 1940 |
| Died | February 15, 2026 (aged 85) |
| Occupations | Business executive, philanthropist |
| Parent | George Warren Barber |
George Warren Barber Jr. (September 11, 1940 – February 15, 2026) was an American businessman, real estate developer and philanthropist from Alabama.
Early life
Barber's father, George Warren Barber, founded Barber Dairies in the 1930s.[1][2] It became the largest dairy company in Alabama.[2] His father promoted the use of pasteurized milk in the United States.[2]
Career
Barber was a racecar driver.[1] Later, he was a real estate developer and served as the Chairman of Barber Dairies.[1][3] In 2012, artist Mark Cline, commissioned by Barber, designed and built the Bamahenge monument. It was installed at George's Barber Marina.[4] In 1998, he sold the family business to Dean Foods.[1][5] In 2003, he established Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama.[1][6]
Motorcycle collection
Barber started collecting motorcycles in the 1970s.[3] It is "the world's largest collection of motorcycles,"[1] and it is in the Guinness Book of Records with more than 1,400 motorcycles covering all timelines from vintage to modern.[3] He was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2014.[3]
Philanthropy
Barber donated approximately $54 million toward the purchase of the Leeds, Alabama land that became Barber Motorsports Park, and contributed in excess of $125 million in total to develop and gift the park to the Birmingham community.[7] He supported more than 90 organizations across Alabama and underwrote over 500 college scholarships in communities served by Barber Dairies. He served on the board of the Forever Wild Land Trust and founded the Birmingham chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association.[8]
Death
Barber died on February 15, 2026 in Birmingham, aged 85, after a brief illness.[9][10]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Connor Sheets, Who are the richest Alabamians now that billionaire Marguerite Harbert has passed?, The Birmingham News, March 23, 2015
- 1 2 3 "AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame: George Barber". Archived from the original on 2015-05-09. Retrieved 2015-07-13.
- 1 2 3 4 Dawn Kent Azok, Birmingham businessman George Barber elected to AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, The Birmingham News, June 27, 2014
- ↑ "Bamahenge, Elberta, Alabama". Roadside America. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- ↑ Dean looks South: Dean Foods Co. of Franklin Park agreed..., The Chicago Tribune, August 11, 1998
- ↑ Kelly Kazek, A skeleton in the elevator: Inside the wacky, wonderful world of Alabama's George Barber, The Birmingham News, December 30, 2014
- ↑ "George Barber remembered as inspirational business leader and motorsports icon". Bham Now. 18 February 2026. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
- ↑ "George Barber remembered as inspirational business leader and motorsports icon". Bham Now. 18 February 2026. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
- ↑ "Full Speed Ahead: George W. Barber, Jr., 1940–2026" (PDF). Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. 17 February 2026. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
- ↑ "R.I.P.: Barber Museum & Track Founder George Barber". Roadracing World Magazine. 18 February 2026. Retrieved 3 May 2026.