Barney Ray Cargile

Barney Ray Cargile, age 80, of Northport, Ala., passed away August 25, 2025 at his residence. His Celebration of Life service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 30, 2025, at St. Mark Church with Pastor Bo Lloyd officiating. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde Chandler and Lottie Collins Cargile; brothers, Ned Collins Cargile, and Wayne Chandler Cargile; sister, Lucy Mavis Hightower; and nephew, Philip Chandler Hightower.

Those left to cherish many memories of Barney are his wife of 55 years, Michele Mitchell Cargile "Mickey"; his children Sheryl Lynn (Kevin) Lockhart, Andrew Wayne (Tina) Cargile, and Clinton Lewis (Gillian King) Cargile; granddaughters Maddie and Melora Cargile and Zoey and Lottie Cargile; grandsons Rob and Jordan Lockhart; and a host of extended family and friends who will miss his humor, kindness, and steady spirit.

Barney Ray Cargile was a devoted husband, beloved father, and longtime professor of accounting at the University of Alabama. Barney was an avid Alabama football fan, though many who knew him might be surprised to learn that before he began teaching at the University of Alabama in 1979, he had spent his life cheering for Auburn..

Born in Fayette, Alabama, on February 10, 1945, the youngest child of Clyde Chandler and Lottie Collins Cargile, Barney grew up with a love of sports. He excelled at baseball, football, and basketball until, at age 11, he was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease that kept him bedridden for nearly a decade. Despite this, he remained positive and cheerful. The community of Fayette rallied around him, and sports legends such as Auburn coach Shug Jordan and future Alabama coach Gene Stallings visited his bedside to talk football.

Though many believed he would never leave his bed, Barney defied expectations. He finished high school by correspondence, learned to operate a wheelchair, learned to drive a car, and attended the University of Illinois. He even taught himself woodworking to build furniture and his own wheelchair ramps.

At Illinois, Barney saw the most beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on "standing over by the record machine, too cute to be a minute over seventeen." This turned out to be the love of his life, Michele "Mickey" Mitchell. He earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting. He considered staying on at the university to work with the disabled, but a mentor advised him to go out into the world and use his degrees to be an example to others in the disabled community. He began his career as a CPA before discovering his true calling: teaching.

Barney taught at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, then went on to earn his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. In 1979, he accepted a faculty position at the University of Alabama's School of Accountancy. For the next 24 years, he shared his passion for learning with generations of students. While he received numerous honors-including the Outstanding Educator Award from the Alabama Society of CPAs and induction into the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration Hall of Fame-he found his greatest joy in hearing from former students long after graduation.

In retirement, Barney loved visiting with family, fishing with his granddaughters, reading, and watching sports. He and Mickey loved working through the Sunday crossword puzzle together, side by side on the couch.

Barney lived his faith through service with St. Mark Church in Northport, Emmaus, Kairos prison ministry, and on the board of Easter Seals of West Alabama. He will be remembered for his unwavering positivity, quick wit, and the quiet strength with which he faced life's challenges.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mark Church, Hospice of West Alabama, or Easter Seals of West Alabama.