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]
Death
Barber died on February 15, 2026, at the age of 85.[7]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Connor Sheets, Who are the richest Alabamians now that billionaire Marguerite Harbert has passed?, The Birmingham News, March 23, 2015
- ^ a b c "AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame: George Barber". Archived from the original on 2015-05-09. Retrieved 2015-07-13.
- ^ a b c d 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
- ^ "Full Speed Ahead: George W. Barber, Jr., 1940-2026" (PDF). BarberMuseum.org. Birmingham, AL: Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. February 17, 2026. Retrieved February 17, 2026.