Julius Johnston "Jack" Barnhardt

1940 - 2022

Julius Johnston "Jack" Barnhardt
October 17, 1940 - June 1, 2022
Winston-Salem, North Carolina - On Wednesday, June 1, 2022, Julius Johnston ("Jack") Barnhardt died peacefully in Winston-Salem, NC, surrounded by his wife and family. Jack will be missed for his creativity, his compassion, his love of his family, and his wicked sense of humor.
Born in Charlotte to Sara Johnston and Jacob Charles Barnhardt, Sr. on October 17, 1940, Jack was the younger of two sons. He was a proud Eagle Scout and graduated from Myers Park High School in 1958. Jack earned a degree in Textile Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1962, where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.
Jack inherited a passion for building things from his father and was skilled with wood and textiles. While a student at Georgia Tech, Jack experimented with foam moldings and created a football made of foam a full ten years before Nerf introduced them to the market. Later in life, he put his woodworking skills to use building custom rocking horses, planes, elephants, and more for his grandchildren in his wood shop.
Jack began his career at Barnhardt Manufacturing Company, a textile business founded by his grandfather. The company was expanding into the furniture industry in the 1960s, and so Jack went to work at its new cushion facility in High Point.
A few years later, Jack was approached by his good friend and fraternity brother, Mac Fletcher, about starting a promotional advertising agency in Charlotte. Excited by the opportunity to be creative and work with his friend, Jack jumped at the chance, and Fletcher Barnhardt, Inc. was founded in 1968. The two knew they might be onto something when two federal agents, unamused by their playful use of "F.B.I", paid them a visit.
Shortly after, Jack's childhood friend, John White, joined them and the company became known as Fletcher-Barnhardt & White. Propelled by its vibrant culture and creativity, FB&W grew to become the largest promotional advertising agency in the Southeast, with more than 100 employees and 18 offices.
Jack was an avid sportsman, with a passion for skiing, sailing, and golf. In his youth he loved to race Hobie Cat sailboats, was a member of the Ski Patrol at Sugar Mountain, and President of the Ski Bees. His love of golf enabled him to play with some of the legends of the game, including Arnold Palmer and Greg Norman as part of the pro/am tournament at Bay Hill, which FB&W sponsored.
Jack continued his love of golf throughout his retirement, much of which was spent in his beloved Linville, NC. Jack loved the mountains and he and his wife, Patsy, were active members of the Linville community, where they helped raise funds to build the Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital in Newland and volunteered with the Crossnore School & Children's Home.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Patsy Barnhardt; his children Dan Barnhardt (Paul Santora) and Lindsay Howard (Randy); his grandchildren Reagan Howard and Sterling Howard; his step-children Grant Bridges (Ann), Nichole Jones (Steven), Todd Bridges (Emilie) and his step-grandchildren; Brittany, Amanda, Alexandra, Anthony, Andrew and Annie Bridges who knew him as "Grand Jack". He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Jake Barnhardt, and his grandson Wyatt Howard.
A memorial service to honor Jack's life will be held July 11, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at River Oaks Community Church located at 1855 Lewisville Clemmons Rd, Clemmons, NC 27012. Following the service, visitation with the family and a light reception will be held at the Church.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, memorial donations may be made to The Children's Home Society of NC, The Fletcher School of Charlotte, or the Hospice Foundation. Condolences may be sent online at www.salemfh.com.