Neil Donovan Barbour

Neil Donovan Barbour, 68, passed away peacefully in his sleep August 23, 2025 at his home in Carrboro, NC. Neil was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas on November 14, 1956 and raised by Robert and Venitah Barbour. Neil spent early years in Raleigh and Asheville, North Carolina, where he was soon joined by siblings Julia Marcella and Wiley Jonathan Barbour. The family relocated to Neptune Beach, Florida in 1971 where Neil graduated from Fletcher Senior High in 1976.

In 1979, Neil’s father Robert married Jean S Crumley and Neil became part of a blended family including Gary, Carla, and Kevin Crumley. Close in age, these new siblings and their mother provided love and support to Neil throughout his life.

Neil completed electronic courses at Florida Junior College and landed a job at the Florida Times Union newspaper in 1978.Neil’s career there spanned 28 years starting in maintenance and later moving to the electronics department. A colleague remembers him as cool headed and an avid learner. Neil never met a machine that he could not fix.

Although Neil’s aptitude with mechanics and electronics was abundant, his inquisitive mind always wanted to learn something new. He enjoyed astronomy, playing music, scuba diving, and even developing film in his darkroom. He taught himself to sail a Hobie Cat catamaran and spent time sailing the ocean. He enjoyed family reunions at Holdens Beach, N. C. with maternal cousins and family. Neil was also a deep, intellectual thinker who loved debating philosophical ideas and politics.

Neil is survived by siblings Marcella Barbour Fiacco (Angelo) of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl, Wiley Jonathan Barbour (Lynda) of Chapel Hill, N.C., Gary Crumley of Orlando, Fl, Carla Crumley Forest (Roy) of Neptune Beach, FL, Kevin Crumley and Beth Mandeville of Sequim, WA. He is survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Neil is predeceased by parents Robert Donovan Barbour, Venitah (Sanders) Barbour, Jean Crumley Barbour, and grandparents Wiley and “Dolly” Sanders of Chapel Hill, N.C. and Clarence and Virginia Barbour of Raleigh, N.C.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Walker’s Funeral Home, 11680 15-501 N, Chapel Hill, N.C. at 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 18, 2025. The Reverend Dr. Christine Nygren will be the Officiant. Neil will be buried at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the UNC Health Foundation, 123 W. Franklin Street, Suite 510, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.

To make a donation online: https://give.unc.edu/tribute/nbarbour