Gilbert’s Own Will Surely Be Missed

Gilbert, Arizona sadly has lost one of their own, Talmage Dennis Barney (62). As most of you know T. Dennis Barney passed away January 5, 2009. His viewing is this evening at their family home on Honeysuckle and the funeral will be tomorrow morning. Details shared at the bottom.

I had the privilege to know Dennis, Ann and children as a member of same congregation where we attended church in Gilbert. Both Dennis and Ann are amazing individuals and just to be a small acquaintance many years ago was enough to know the pillar of strength of this giant of a man!

My very first encounter meeting Dennis was back in 1980 when my husband and I were purchasing carpet for our very first home. He owned and operated the Carpet Company in Mesa, Arizona. Being a newly wed bride, I didn’t know many in the construction industry, however my husband at the time knew Dennis already working with him on various construction jobs that Dennis had his ties too.

His career spanned banking, custom-home building and land development, and he held leadership positions with the United Food Bank and Greater Phoenix Economic Council. Dennis Barney’s companies, CDB Properties, The Carpet Company and Landmark Properties, were part of a multi-faceted development undertaking he started after going into a mobile home park business as a young man with his father. Dennis teamed with other developers to build such fashionable communities as Val Vista Lakes, Circle G Ranches and Gilbert’s new mall, San Tan Village.

His most celebrated work began in 2005 when he and the Mormon Church accomplished a task that the City of Mesa had not been able to do for decades: turn a blighted neighborhood into a gateway for tourists and visitors headed to the historic temple. Barney quietly spent nearly $4 million to purchase and refurbish 21 houses over four years in the area just east of Mesa’s original square-mile town site.

I, personally will remember Dennis with his kindness toward the youth of the church, he kindness to help others, willingness to take a minute of his busy schedule to acknowledge you, he truly was a Godsend to this earth and will be greatly missed. Dennis and his family gave so much to the Gilbert, Mesa community and surrounding cities, his name will be forever remembered with all that he gave unselfishly.

Carol McCormick, president of the Mesa United Way is quoted saying, “He is one of a kind,…He was not only a donor of money, he spent a lot of his personal time helping young people to make prudent decisions in their lives. He found it meaningful to help guide young people into adulthood and counsel them in making good decisions. He believed very strongly in helping others in the community. He had a great heart.”

Landmark Properties had been one of the United Way’s Cornerstone Companies, meaning that it paid for fundraising and administrative costs so more of the charity’s revenue is distributed directly to agencies.

Dennis’s family has set up a tribute with a family blog in his honor to have those who knew him over the years to share of your memories of Dennis. I hope you take a moment to share any thoughts or comments that will help relieve some of the pain and loss the Barney family is experiencing.

The words that come to mind of the fine man Dennis was and will live on through his legacy is stellar, pillar, solid, friend, father, husband, brother, volunteer, service, Christ like, giver, gently, big as life, love, fellowship, passionate, but mostly his love of God, Family and his fellow man. If we can only take one of many examples he touched our lives with through the years he shared his life with us, this world would be a better place.

My condolences go out to Ann Barney, their children and loves ones that your pain will be softened by the wonderful memories of a father, husband, brother, son, friend, co-worker, partner . May his example be a lesson to the entire community that Service to your God, your fellowman, the love of family weighs more in your legacy than any riches. Dennis was the richest man I know! Thank you for the flicker of a moment you touched our lives.

Sincerely, Candace, (David) Cory, Kip & Karly Robinson

A viewing will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, at the Barney home, 1075 N. Honeysuckle Lane in Gilbert. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Val Vista Stake Center, 1005 N. Voyager, Gilbert. The funeral service also will be broadcast at the LDS Institute of Religion, Tempe, Arizona University Stake, 1000 W. McAllister Ave., Tempe; LDS Chapel, 1150 E. Guadalupe Road, Gilbert; and LDS Chapel, 1483 N. Driftwood Drive, Gilbert. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the United Food Bank at (480) 926-4897, Arizona Interfaith Movement at (602) 261-6704, or General Missionary Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Other sites to support the Barney family: