Barry M. Friedman

Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on September 17, 2025, at the age of 94.

Beloved husband of Sharon Friedman and the late Elaine Friedman.  Dear father of Don (Lara Young) Friedman, Steve Friedman and Ann (Steve List) Friedman.  Former spouse of the mother of his children, Janet Hupert Friedman.  Beloved stepfather of Jennifer Orgel (Nick) Tompras, Jeff Orgel, Kenny (Jennifer) Lentin, Larry (Amy) Lentin and Betsy (Mike) Wicklund.  Loving grandfather of thirteen.  Dear brother of Mitzi (the late Bob) Olglander and the late Sonny Friedman.  Beloved son of the late Herman and Marge Friedman.  Dear uncle, cousin and friend of many.

Barry had five primary interests. His family, his friends, his community, his work and participation in sports.  He was devoted to his family and enjoyed their times together whether skiing, golfing, going to the movies, enjoying a good meal or simply talking. When offering his children advice he could (and did) quote everyone from Polonius to Satchel Paige.

Barry was a 1949 graduate of University City HS where he lettered in football, basketball and track, and made many lifelong friends. He graduated from Washington University in 1953 with a degree in business before joining the Glaser Drugs chain, where his father was an officer and shareholder.

After leaving his job at Glaser Drugs at age 25 for more opportunity he answered an advertisement for “personable young men.” That’s when he began working in the life insurance industry. He never retired, serving clients until the last week of his life. He said he “had been blessed with the opportunity to be in an industry that makes a difference in people’s lives“. In 1960 he pioneered the first-in-the-nation “tax sheltered group annuity” which for the first time allowed employees of non-profits, including public schools and hospitals, to enjoy a retirement plan comparable to employees in the for-profit world. He was a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Roundtable, the insurance industry’s highest annual honor.

Throughout his life he gave back to the community. He worked actively to support the Senior Olympics in St. Louis, donated time and services to the Youth Emergency Service, worked to raise funds for the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, served on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Community Center, and later worked with the Cancer support community of greater St. Louis.

Barry was an athlete until shortly before his death. He was always trying to improve. Playing golf, he shot his age at 79,80,84 and 87. He was very proud of his football, basketball and track high school athletic accomplishments, his weekly games of softball at Shaw Park ending in his mid-30’s, and his weekly game of Indian Ball at Tillis Park ending in his 80’s as the oldest player on the team (or probably ever). He played football at Wash U., ending his career with a broken foot. He was coached by Weeb Eubank who went on to coach Joe Namath to a Superbowl. He started skiing in his late 30s and left the slopes after turning 80, thankful to have never hurt himself. The friendships formed in these activities along with his lifelong friends, family and community were the cornerstones of his life.

He loved the St. Louis Football Cardinals, Jean Simmons and Elizabeth Taylor, Sara Lee poundcake, Root Beer floats, Fitz’s hot dogs, Rocky Road ice cream and pasta of almost any variety. He wasn’t much of a cook, though his Kraft macaroni and cheese and Matzoh Brie always got good reviews. He preferred basement sales at Famous Barr to anything at Nieman Marcus and McDonald’s pancakes to any breakfast food that included a non-English word. He indulged in very few vices, though he was a regular member and occasional host of a floating Thursday night poker game until he was about 45, a game where no man (it was men only) ever won or lost more than $20, but where many tales were told and laughs had. Nothing pleased him more than a good joke. He liked some of them so much that when he told one of his favorites (the punch line was “Ta-Dah”,) he inevitably began laughing so hard that before he was halfway through, he was weeping. That usually had everyone else cracking up, too, even if he never made it to the punch line. On occasion, he would sip from a Crown Royal with a twist of lemon. On an exceedingly special occasion, like a graduation, or birth, or if one of his sons nearly totaled the family car (no one was hurt), or if his daughter announced that she was going to be an artist, he might have a second Crown Royal. He always wore a white V-neck undershirt, even during the hottest days of summer. He did not care for mowing the lawn. Two of his favorite activities were sledding at Art Hill and looking for bargains at street fairs.

He believed in social justice and thought everyone should have an opportunity for a good education and a decent job.  He faced challenges and hardships, but he was always grateful for the family and friends he loved, and who loved him.  He considered himself a lucky man. He will be missed. May his memory be a blessing.

Funeral service Sunday, October 5, 1:30pm at Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road with interment to follow at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Road.  Visitation with the family beginning at 1:00pm until time of service.  Live stream available by clicking "watch video". Contributions in his memory may be made to the Cancer Support Group, 11775 Borman Drive, Suite 103, St. Louis, MO 63146.