Fred Oscar Barney Jr.

Hurst, Texas – Fred O. Barney, Jr., 88, passed away Friday, January 12, 2024, after being blessed with loving goodbyes from family and friends.
Service: 3:00 pm, Friday, January 19, 2024, at St. Philip’s Presbyterian Church in their Sanctuary. In lieu of flowers and in Fred Barney’s memory, please consider donating to St. Philip’s Presbyterian Church in support of the church’s continuous outreach, missions, and ministries.
Fred was born July 29, 1935, in Kilgore, Texas to loving parents, Fred O. Barney, Sr. and Pauline Fikes Barney, who were married for more than 73 years.
He graduated from Carter Riverside High School in Fort Worth and graduated with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education degrees from Texas Tech University. He married his high school sweetheart, the love of his life, Shirley Higgs Barney, in 1955 on July 15, celebrating more than 68 years of marriage together last year. His children, Barry Barney and Tim Reyna were blessed with his loving and unconditional love and active involvement in all areas of their lives. Fred also had numerous nieces and nephews and a huge circle of close friends from every stage of his life.
Fred loved riding motorcycles, playing racquetball, playing dominos, and endless card games. He was a Presbyterian 100% of his adult life, serving as a Trustee, Deacon, and Elder; and was actively involved with the youth and men’s groups.
He was a dedicated coach, teacher, and principal who was committed to the education, motivation, and betterment of junior and high school kids for more than 38 years starting at Saginaw and quickly moving to the HEB school district at Central Jr. High. He continued to move up the ranks to L.D. Bell High School where he was instrumental in starting the Driver’s Education program and soon taking that program to Trinity High School. He then moved into the administrative role of Assistant Principal at Euless Jr. High and was then promoted to Assistant Principal and Dean of Boys at Trinity High School where he served for many years until he was named Principal of Castleberry High School where he served in that role for 11 years until he announced his retirement in 1997.
Concurrently and after his retirement, he spent more than 10 years with the Texas Department of Public Safety, was named to the Governor’s Board for Motorcycle Safety, was one of nine Chief Instructors and a Founder of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation developing the training and writing the curriculum for the trainers to teach civilians and law enforcement safe, defensive motorcycle riding and was responsible for helping create many of today’s current motorcycle laws and training curriculum.
His awards and accolades culminated near the end of his career when the City of Hurst recognized his numerous achievements helping young people across many ways, by proclaiming June 27, 2006, as Fred Barney Day in the city.