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.Connor Sheets, Who are the richest Alabamians now that billionaire Marguerite Harbert has passed?, The Birmingham News, March 23, 2015 It became the largest dairy company in Alabama. His father promoted the use of pasteurized milk in the United States.
Career Barber was a racecar driver. Later, he was a real estate developer and served as the Chairman of Barber Dairies.Dawn Kent Azok, Birmingham businessman George Barber elected to AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, The Birmingham News, June 27, 2014 In 2012, artist Mark Cline, commissioned by Barber, designed and built the Bamahenge monument. It was installed at George's Barber Marina. In 1998, he sold the family business to Dean Foods.Dean looks South: Dean Foods Co. of Franklin Park agreed..., The Chicago Tribune, August 11, 1998 In 2003, he established Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama.Kelly Kazek, A skeleton in the elevator: Inside the wacky, wonderful world of Alabama's George Barber, The Birmingham News, December 30, 2014
Motorcycle collection Barber started collecting motorcycles in the 1970s. It is "the world's largest collection of motorcycles," and it is in the Guinness Book of Records with more than 1,400 motorcycles covering all timelines from vintage to modern. He was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2014.
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. 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. Death Barber died on February 15, 2026 in Birmingham, aged 85, after a brief illness. References