Joseph Parker Barbour Jr.

BURLINGTON - Mr. Joseph Parker Barbour Jr., 76, of 1119 Briarcliff Road, Burlington died at the Hospice Home on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 9:28 p.m.
A native of Alamance County, he was the husband of Nan Forrest Barbour, who survives, and the son of Joseph Parker Barbour Sr. and Viola Black Barbour, both deceased. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Burlington.
Mr. Barbour was a member of the first graduating class of Walter Williams High in 1952. He continued his education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1952 through 1956 and earned a degree in pharmacy. Barbour returned to Burlington and opened Barbour Drugs on Edgewood Avenue and raised his four children with Mary Barbour, deceased.
Barbour was first elected in 1973 as a member of the Burlington City Council. He served as a councilman through 1979 before he became mayor from 1979 to 1981 and 1993 to 2003. He was also an Alamance County commissioner from 1984 to 1992. He was instrumental in the expansion of May Memorial Library. Joe enhanced the quality of life for citizens through his commitment to public service. An avid supporter of Recreation & Parks, Mayor Barbour's tenure marked the completion of many Recreation and Parks facilities including The Paramount Theater, John Robert Kernodle Senior Activities Center, Maynard Aquatic Center, Burlington Tennis Center, Springwood Park, and Lake Mackintosh. Willowbrook Park is one of several examples of how Barbour worked to provide better places for people in the community to gather and socialize. Former Burlington Mayor Joe Barbour Jr. was recently honored with a dedication of the pavilion at West Willowbrook and Parkview Drive in his name.
In addition to his wife of the home, survivors include his daughter, Karen Barbour Smith and husband Liston of Hendersonville; three sons, Joseph Parker Barbour III of Burlington, Daniel Morris Barbour and wife Cindy of Greensboro and Matthew Winston Barbour of Wrightsville Beach; nine grandchildren, Tommy Barbour, Parker Smith, Nick Westfall, Lindsay Barbour Koroll, Zachary Smith, Mandi Westfall, Danielle Barbour, Joseph Parker Barbour IV and Wyatt Barbour; two stepchildren, Tracy Sturdivant and husband Mark of Raleigh and Jamie Teachey of Chapel Hill; a brother, Jon Barbour and wife Beverly of Waynesville; a stepbrother, James Smith and wife Ridley of Greensboro; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his stepmother, Jackie Barbour; and a brother, Bob Barbour, who is survived by his wife Judy.
The funeral service will be conducted at the First Presbyterian Church of Burlington on Monday, May 9, 2011 at 11 a.m. by Dr. Ronald L. Shive and the Rev. Dale Walker. Burial will follow in Pine Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the Rich & Thompson Funeral and Cremation Service in Burlington on Sunday from 5 until 7 p.m. At other times they will be at the residence.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Burlington, 508 West Davis Street, Burlington, or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, N.C. 27215, or to Friends of the Library, 342 South Spring Street, Burlington, N.C. 27215.
Condolences may be offered at www.richandthompson.com