George Thomas Barber, Jr.

George Thomas Barber, Jr. passed away on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, May 24, 2024, at Wilkerson Funeral Home with burial to follow at Evergreen Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends Thursday evening at the funeral home, from 5:00-7:00PM and other times at the home.

George was born on August 2, 1956, to the late George Barber Sr. and Hessie Loftis Barber. George was a standout left-handed pitcher for the Reidsville Rams from 1973-1975. He was a fierce competitor on the mound which earned him the nickname Bulldog. In 1975 he was a participant in the Connie Mack World Series for the Martinsville Oilers that took place in Farmington, New Mexico.

In 1974, George met his future wife at a church softball field. In 1977, he married his High School sweetheart, Roxanne Bray, and together they raised a family while continuing the baseball legacy. George was a wonderful son, father, and grandfather who was always there for his family.

He was a proud owner of Bullock Rentals where he succeeded his parents and through hard work and determination was successful for 49 years. George also owned and operated Barber’s Mobile Home Repair from 1979-2022. He was a giving person who always helped others when they were in need.

In 1990, he founded the Reidsville Recreation Department Booster Club and with the assistance of many volunteers, they hosted two Dixie Youth baseball state tournaments. The club was responsible for refurbishing Lowes Field with bathrooms and scoreboards and The Booster Field. For his volunteer work, he was given the Danny Jones Award in recognition of his contributions.  

In 1994 he was the Pitching Coach for the Rockingham County Colt League Baseball team that advanced to the Colt League World Series in Lafayette, Indiana, by defeating the Greensboro Green Team.

In 1996 he was the Pitching Coach for the Rockingham County High School 3A state champions that finished 28 – 2. George often said, “They were the best baseball team to ever come out of this county.”

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Van Alan Johnson.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Roxanne Bray Barber; son, George Thomas Barber, III and wife Jennifer; daughter, Sarah Barber Shropshire and husband Richard; grandchildren, Kelsey Truitt, Kyndall Truitt, Ella Kate Barber; brother, Ray Johnson of Jamestown; sister's, Betty Horton of Roxboro, Renee Rogers, Phyllis Cundiff; mother-in-law, Roxie Bray; sister-in-law, Tammy Knight; brother-in-law, Greg Bray and wife Vicky; in addition to numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.