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BORN
1932
DIED
2016
Barney Hall Obituary
He announced his first Daytona 500 race in 1960 and was one of the most trusted voices in NASCAR racing. He began at Motor Racing Network when the network started in 1970 and he continued broadcasting for them until 2014.
"For many of us in the racing and broadcasting industries, Barney was more than just 'The Voice' who brought us the NASCAR action each week on the radio," MRN President David Hyatt said in a news release. "He was an inspiration, a teacher and, mostly, a friend.
"Barney was a consummate professional whose style and honesty made him one of the most revered voices of the sport and perhaps the most trusted reporter of his day."
NASCAR chairman Brian France said: "Barney's impeccable delivery and incredible storytelling skills left an indelible mark on the sport that he so clearly loved."
NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. tweeted earlier in the day: "For the longest time he was THE voice of @NASCAR. Just perfection. Thoughts and prayers."
"He was not just a trusted voice to listeners and race fans, he became what many believe is the most trusted journalist in NASCAR by the sport's competitors for decades," said NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director Winston Kelley, who also is an MRN broadcaster.
Hall is survived by Karen Carrier, his girlfriend of the past 35 years.
59 Entries
Guy Colbey
February 6, 2016
I have missed Barney before, but even more now. Was fortunate enough to meet him in the Steak and Shake in Daytona once. A true gentleman, he made me feel like we knew each other all along. I will miss his truly distinct voice at the events.
February 5, 2016
A name is better than good oil,and the day of death then the day of one's being born,Barney certainly made a name for himself when he talked everyone listened. The life he lived will be cherished by all whose lives he touched,he will be missed in a very large way. May you look to our father in heaven for peace and understanding.
( Ecclesiastes 7:1)(Matthew 5:4)
NJ~
Phyllis
February 3, 2016
To the family of Barney Hall, please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your love one. Losing a love one is very difficult. May you find solace in the wonderful memories shared. And may the God of all comfort give you comfort during this most difficult time.
Scott Chamberland
February 1, 2016
Rest in Peace
How you can show support
cece
January 31, 2016
My deepest condolences for your loss,may you find comfort in the God's word the Bible at 1Thess 4:13-14
January 31, 2016
So sorry for your loss.
May God comfort you.
~Psalms 71:21
Larry and Julie Tucker
January 31, 2016
Karen, I pray peace over you and the family.
Staci
January 31, 2016
Sorry to hear of Barney's passing. I grew up in NASCAR-he will be greatly missed. My father worked at Banjo's.
January 30, 2016
Our prayers to Barney's Family and Friends. God is our refuge and strength.
bo maner
January 29, 2016
he was a wonderful announcer and I enjoyed his work since I was a child. I met him at n. Wilkesboro in 1996. nice person. he will be greatly missed.
VICKIE CALLAHAN COOPER
January 29, 2016
Karen,
I was so sorry to learn of Barney's passing. I know how much you loved him.
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. If you need anything please let me know.
Love you,
Vickie
January 29, 2016
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Karen and the family. Barney will be missed greatly, but will remain in our hearts forever. God Bless.
Sincerely,
Ben and Marlene Malcolm and family
Bill and Kaye Fletcher
January 29, 2016
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with the family of Barney Hall! His warm, friendly compassion will be greatly missed in the garage and around the track! Barney always took the time to talk racers and fans and was genuinely loved by all who met him. God Bless!!!
Christopher S. Thrasher
January 29, 2016
Mr. Hall was one of the nicest people I ever met. I grew up listening to races on MRN. I still remember meeting him at the Winston Cup Preview in 97 or 98. He was so surprised that a kid knew who he was, but I remember being distinctly gratified that he talked to me like I was an adult, with respect and honesty.
My condolences to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.
January 29, 2016
May it comfort you to know that God as well as others care about your loss at this time.
Sincerely
January 29, 2016
May God provide you with strength. He will be missed.
January 29, 2016
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your love one.
Terry Branscome
January 29, 2016
I remember sitting under shade tree on sundays listen to the race.I would love to have been able to sit down with barney to talk about racing.
Charise Morgan
January 29, 2016
I offer my Sympathy to your family. Soon the Almighty the restorer of life promises to "healed those needing a cure."-Luke 9:11. A cure from everything especially from the effects that causes the loss of a loved one.
Ms.Morgan
Ronnie Pugh
January 28, 2016
May God Bless his family and friends during this time.He made you feel like you were at the races.Rest in Peace.
Susanne Hayes
January 28, 2016
Dear Karen our thoughts and prayers are with you. What a special man he was and that voice we will never forget. We were blessed to have known him and we will surely miss him. May God be near you in the difficult days ahead. OD & Susanne Hayes
Anthony Dixon
January 28, 2016
I grew up in a time when Nascar races were not televised and you were lucky to hear them on an am station. Mr Hall was so good at describing the action on the track that you could picture it in your mind and almost feel like you were there. I was so happy when the Hall Squier award was announced and felt that it was most deserving. Mr. Hall was the voice of Nascar. A true ambassador for the sport and a very important part of what it has become.
Sam N
January 28, 2016
Sending our deepest condolences to Barney's family and friends. May you take comfort in knowing that your loved one is at peace. Ecclesiastes 9:5.
sam scroggins
January 28, 2016
The checkered flag waved on a amazing person's life.
January 28, 2016
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalms 119:76
January 28, 2016
Thoughts and Prayers go out to Barney's entire family. He sure will be missed by all who knew him and the job he did on the Nascar radio for racing.
January 28, 2016
My condolences to Karen Carrier and other family members and friends for your loss. May the many fond memories you share of him ease your sorrow (Psalms 55:22) ~ Linda, Queens, NY
Harry Simpson
January 28, 2016
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Fair winds and following seas sailor.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
Sharon Tucker
January 28, 2016
A great voice has been silenced. Prayers for family, friends, and to the NASCAR community.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy4:7
Jill
January 28, 2016
Thoughts and prayers go out to Barney's family.
EJ
January 28, 2016
So sorry for your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences.
bob vassallo
January 28, 2016
barney led the race thru all 3 turns....and he won it on the 4th and final turn to home, where the almighty waved the final checkered flag....rest in peace, my good man
Mjac
January 28, 2016
Will be missed.
Curtis Riter
January 28, 2016
Rest in Peace.
January 28, 2016
best voice in nascar. loved to hear hjm call races on radio. turned tv volume down and listened to barney. rip my friend. sam davis
m o
January 28, 2016
Sincere condolences to the family, When we lose those we love. The pain and grief can seem unbearable, But , Trust in the God of comfort , he will make you strong at this difficult time as promiised @Numbers 6 :26
January 28, 2016
We see that Barney has finished his race for life but in the Bible it states at Matthew 24:13 "the one who has endured until the end (race for life) will be saved". Barney has the chance to live again and his loved ones can see him. May you all be there to greet him at that time.
p.m.
January 28, 2016
Find comfort in knowing that God understands your grief and cares. (1 Peter 5:6,7)
pat
January 28, 2016
Please accept my condolences.
Gregg Raih
January 28, 2016
I was saddened when I read that Barney had passed away,no one could call a race like he did,you could close your eyes and see them racing,thank you for sharing your gift with all of us,to his friends and family,my most heart felt sympathy,the world was a better place with Barney Hall in it,Rest in peace
Extreme America SpeedSports
January 28, 2016
Everyone at Extreme America Speedsports was shocked & speachless when we heard of the passing of Barney.
After a few moments we shared our memories of the voice behind MRN Radio. Barney painted a pic for the radio listeners that you wouldn't get on TV.
Barney was missed after his retirement from MRN & will be missed by all on Earth as he joins the others that we've lost in Speedsports over the years
My we never forget Barney as he goes at God's Speed.
January 28, 2016
God Bless My mother always enjoyed the NASCAR races and listening to Mr. Hall May you rest in Peace
a fan
January 28, 2016
May God bless the family with comfort and strength at this difficult time.
January 28, 2016
My heartfelt condolences to his girlfriend Karen and close friends of his for the loss of their beloved friend and family member, Barney. For years many of us enjoyed his great voice, and his reports. His enthusiastic voice and personality will be greatly missed. I join others to express my sincere sympathy, and may the God of all comfort, strengthen your journey of moving forward, while you cherish the great moments Mr. Barney enjoyed with all of you.
Fred Wolfe
January 28, 2016
The "Voice" of NASCAR goes silent, but his memories will live on forever. A true legend of our sport. Rest in peace Barney !
Dan Grayson
January 28, 2016
I want to talk about Barney Hall and just what he did for me. I grew-up in Elkin, NC and my late father and I had the privilege of knowing Barney well. In fact, my dad had an side business of electrical contracting and we did the electrical construction on Barney's A-Frame house where he still lived when he died. Barney assisted us with getting pit passes and tickets to North Wilkesboro Speedway many times.......where we met drivers like Benny Parsons, Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough and a car owner by the name of Junior Johnson......and all through Barney.
Most people didn't know the real Barney. He was a quiet and humble man that drove and old red and white Ford truck for years. He also had a couple of 1967 Mustangs that he cherished. He really loved his mother and took care of her until the day she died. I would often be driving on the street by his mom's house and see Barney mowing the yard on a Monday after a race. He loved tearing down old houses and re-using the wood to build other things. He liked to play golf and go flying. Often, one would catch him at the little restaurant on Swan Creek Road, just across from his Par 3 golf course, eating breakfast in the mornings.
Barney believed in people and he believed in me. When I told him I wanted to work in racing, he talked to me about it and then made one phone call. A couple of weeks later, I had a job with the title sponsor at the time. Later, Barney would make another call for me, and once again I was working for one of the major teams in the 1980s.
This man was well-respected in the sport and in the community in general. For over 50 years, he was the voice we all listened to when we couldn't find the race on television. He had a way with words that would make a picture come to life. He also had this same gift when just talking to someone outside of racing. He never acted conceited or arrogant.....that just wasn't his way.
Yesterday, I listened to many programs on satellite radio that commented about Barney and his legacy. They did a great job, but his legacy cannot be even summarized in just a day. I also watched NASCAR Race Hub, where they remembered Barney at the first of the show. But, I am disappointed that more of the show was not dedicated to the life of Barney Hall, as he certainly deserves it.
I've also seen a few articles on NASCAR.com that were pretty good. But again, Barney deserves much more........especially from NASCAR. This man spent over 50 years of his life telling the NASCAR story and to millions of people. NASCAR should do more in memory of Barney and race fans should demand it. The legacy of Barney should be honored all throughout 2016, much as it was done when Dale Earnhardt, Sr. passed away. Barney helped make this sport what it is today. He made it where people wanted to go to races and learn more about them.
There's a video tribute on MRN.........well done MRN. It will bring tears to your eyes. I hope that this video will be put on YouTube so there will be a lasting memory of a man who was absolutely the BEST at what he did.
To those that got to work with him, you all are so lucky. Mike, Eli, Winston, Allen, Adam, Dave, Joe, Mike, Pete and the list goes on. I can only imagine the impression he made, as I know what an impression he made on me.
The one thing I'm gonna miss most is one knew it was time for the racing season to begin when you heard, "Good afternoon from Daytona International Speedway, this is Barney Hall reporting for MRN".
On late Tuesday evening January 26th, I'm sure that God was saying, "Out of turn 4, they're coming to the stripe and Barney Hall dives to the inside and wins the race".
Godspeed Barney! And THANK YOU for everything you did for my late father and I. Those who did not know you on a personal level really missed something.
January 28, 2016
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Dwayne Bickham,Sr.
January 28, 2016
In God's care, rest in peace.
ADM
January 28, 2016
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Tyeka McGuire
January 28, 2016
May the outpouring of love that surrounds you provide you with the comfort you need during this time. Matt. 5:4
January 28, 2016
No one is ever prepared for death of a loved one, it is the hardest thing to go though so please find some comfort in knowing sickness, pain and death will one day be no more for this has been promised to us.
AJ Foyt
January 27, 2016
A good man and he told it to us again and again like nobody's business!! Prayers to Barney's family, you did racing proud.
Terence J. Keith
January 27, 2016
Thoughts & Prayers go out to the Barney Hall Family A Great man May God Bless Him
Marvin Beach
January 27, 2016
I listened to Barney for many, many years as he broadcasted the Nascar races. He was probably the best announcer I ever heard. He had a GREAT voice, and made the races so interesting. I am in the Spartanburg, SC area, and he knew many of the drivers from this area. Barney was a real professional and he will be remembered for a long, long time. RIP Barney.
Tom Baughman
January 27, 2016
Just won't be the same without Barneys commentary ,even though he wasn't broadcasting full time.Thoughts and prayers for the family.Tom Baughman., Bellefonte Pa
NANCY BYRD ANDREWS
January 27, 2016
when i was just a young girl living in jonesville .barney lived just below us.he was a disk jocky in elkin .he was one of the nices people i ever met.prayers for his family.
Ginny Patton
January 27, 2016
Godspeed Barney! You were the best and made racing so exciting. You will be missed by all involved in this sport.
Adrian Barnette
January 27, 2016
We'll miss you !
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