Barnard Webb Grier

Obituary

Barnard Webb (Barney) Grier, 91, of Daytona Beach, FL, passed away peacefully on October 14, 2024, with family by his side. He is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 40 years, Donna; three sons, John of Richmond, VA; Timothy of Coral Gables, FL; Bryce, and wife Saba Fadaei, of San Jose, CA; granddaughter Faith of Coral Gables; sister Mary Moore and husband Arthur, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Wallace Grier, Sr. and Florence Webb Grier, older brother Robert W. Grier, Jr., and younger brother Richard A. Grier.

Barney was born on December 26, 1932, in Atlanta, GA. His family moved to Miami, FL in 1946. In his youth, Barney loved the local waters of Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and spent every opportunity sailing his small boat out of Coconut Grove. After graduating from Miami Senior High in 1950, where he was known as a speedy track athlete, Barney sailed the Atlantic, the Caribbean, and the Pacific as a merchant seaman.

Barney served his country in the Air Force during the Korean War. He was extremely proud that he and both brothers served in the military. Robert in the Navy and Richard in the Marines. After his military service, Barney matriculated at the University of Miami thanks to the G.I. Bill. While at UM, he was President of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and a member of the Pi Kappa Phi Legal Fraternity, as well as other campus organizations. After graduating in 1956 with a Bachelor of Education, Barney taught school in Dade County at Key Biscayne until 1960. He then accepted an opportunity that began his long and successful career in the insurance industry, joining Aetna Casualty and Surety Company in Atlanta, GA as a Fieldman for Georgia and part of Tennessee. In that role he received the honor of Outstanding Fieldman for the Southeastern Region of the U.S. for all property/casualty insurance companies. In 1969, Barney transferred with Aetna to Norfolk, VA as marketing manager for the Williamsburg, Peninsula, and Tidewater areas of Virginia, as well as northeastern North Carolina. He received the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) Professional Designation in 1970. While in Norfolk he volunteered his time for the United Way and the City of Chesapeake’s Look to the Future.

In 1972, Barney transferred with Aetna to Richmond, VA as Marketing Manager and served in that role until 1978. He then became an independent insurance agent and founded Huguenot Insurance Agency in Midlothian, VA. After serving in various leadership capacities with the Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia, he was elected by his peers to serve as President in 1991. In 1993, Barney was awarded the Golden Eagle Award for his personal contribution to the insurance industry, his fellow agents, and the community. He was also a lobbyist for the industry at both the state and national levels. Barney served as president of the Virginia Chapter of the CPCU and was active in the Lion’s Club and various other civic organizations. In 1995 he retired from the insurance industry and relocated with his family to Florida. Looking for something new to occupy his time, he obtained his real estate salesperson’s license and enjoyed a highly successful second career for some fifteen years, first with Watson Realty, then with Keller Williams Realty in the Lake Mary, FL area.

Always the devoted dad, Barney was actively involved in his sons’ youth sports endeavors, including little league baseball, Pop Warner football, and soccer. Of particular note, he supported the initial youth soccer league in Atlanta, during the formative years of youth soccer in the U.S., as well as the founding of the varsity soccer program at Powhatan High School in the Richmond area. Barney also gave much time and energy to the Boy Scouts (and served as Scoutmaster) and served on local school advisory councils.

Barney was learned, charming, funny, giving, and loved by many. But above all, he was a loving and devoted son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather.

A celebration of Barney’s life will be held at 3pm Saturday, November 30, 2024, at the Grier home in Daytona Beach. For location address, please email grier.col24@gmail.com.

For those who wish to memorialize Barney, the family requests charitable donations be made in his memory to a deserving organization of the donor’s choice.