Dewey Ray Barber

Dewey Ray Barber, age 92, was born April 8, 1931 in Pell City, AL and passed away at his home in Gardendale on April 8, 2023. He is preceded in death by his parents; Edward L. Barber and Alice Treadwell Barber; granddaughter, Sheena Christmas Dixon; brother, Gerald Barber and sister, Edith Barber Addison. Dewey leaves behind his loving wife of 71 years, Gail Wiggins Barber; daughters, Teresa Barber Thomas (Rodney), Vicki Barber Weaver, Jan Barber Christmas (Danny); son, Scott Barber; sister Alene Barber Watkins and brother, Glenn Barber. Gail and Dewey were also blessed with 15 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Gail was his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, they built their home in Gardendale, AL in 2005 and loved living in the Gardendale community. Dewey graduated from Tarrant High School and attended UAB and Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH. He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force reaching rank of Staff Sergeant. After working in the Insurance business for several years, he purchased Gurley Insurance Agency in Tarrant, AL in 1964 and retired for the first time in 1978. Never one to miss a promising business opportunity, he came out of retirement in 1980 and purchased Calvert Chevrolet in Warrior, AL, changing the name to Dewey Barber Chevrolet. In 1985 he purchased the Chrysler/Plymouth dealership in Scottsboro, AL. In 2013 Dewey Barber Chevrolet moved to Gardendale, AL. In 2004, Dewey purchased Quail Ridge Golf Course and changed the name to Castle Pines Golf and Country Club. He sold it in 2016 for health reasons. Dewey was a faithful member of the Decatur Highway Church of Christ and a former member and deacon at the Homewood Church of Christ for over 25 years. Being loyal and dedicated Auburn fans, the family has enjoyed the same reserved seats at Jordan Hare Stadium for over 30 years. Dewey’s crowning achievement was his loving and adoring family. His many contributions to his businesses and community include: President of Alabama Mutual Insurance Association Mr. Mutual Insurance Agent of Alabama First President of the Tarrant Quarterback Club Secretary of Tarrant Rotary Club Board Member, Faulkner University, Montgomery, AL Board Member Emeritus, Faulkner University, Montgomery, AL NRCC Businessman of the Year, 2006 Gardendale Citizen of the Year, 2019 A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Decatur Hwy Church of Christ from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm. Funeral services will be held, Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 11am in the Gardendale Heritage Funeral Home chapel. Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Gardens. Minister Miles Stutts and Minister Wayne Kilpatrick will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hope Hospice, Gardendale, AL Pallbearers will be Chad Langston, Kyle Christmas, D.J. Barber, Tucker Jinright, Eason Jinright and A.J. Dixon. Honorary pallbearers are Cooper Langston, Cash Langston, Brodie Christmas, Malachi Newton and Micah Newton.

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Dewey Ray Barber

April 8, 1931 - April 8, 2023