Frederick Ray Barber

Frederick Ray Barber, Jr. (Fred), 76, died unexpectedly on May 25, 2014 while recovering from surgery. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick Ray Barber, Sr. and Geneva Franklin Barber, and by his elder son, Mark Barber.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Luther Barber; sister, Christine Everett; son and daughter-in-law, Eric & Christine Barber; daughter-in-law, Sharon Barber; five grandchildren: Christy Hanner, Ashley Barber, Jake Barber, Jessica Barber, and Ryan Barber; nieces, Janice and Kathy Everett; and great-nephew, Devin Everett.

Fred was born in Crossnore, NC and as the son of a Methodist Minister moved frequently throughout his childhood (a habit he would continue into adulthood). He graduated from High Point University in 1959 where he was Student Body President and began a long career in media. He started as a newspaper reporter at The High Point Enterprise, and then became a television reporter/photographer at WSOC-TV in Charlotte.

Fred covered political races in both Carolinas and the 1960 Democratic Convention where John Kennedy was nominated. There, he interviewed Lyndon Johnson and later in his life, other important figures including Martin Luther King, Jr. and Carl Sandburg.

Fred covered sit-ins and other civil rights events in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia for NBC news in the early 1960’s. He and another reporter developed the idea of capturing the special music associated with the Civil Rights Movement. They drove to NC A&T College in their own cars to pick up members of the school choir and take them to a recording studio in Charlotte. Stopping for gas along the way they were refused service because of the integrated group. The group made it to Charlotte where the recording was completed. The next step was heading to NYC where they approached multiple recording studios. They finally found a studio to produce the record titled Everybody Wants Freedom.

In 1963 Fred became News Director at WGHP-TV in High Point. His career progression included senior management roles at stations in Charlotte, Washington DC, Raleigh, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and ultimately back to Raleigh where he retired in 1998 as Senior Vice President for Broadcasting for Capitol Broadcasting Company; ending a 40 year career in media. During his career he served on numerous industry Advisory Boards including active roles on the Affiliate Boards for both ABC and CBS.

Though media was his profession, Fred’s two real passions in life were his family and community service. He was married to the love of his life, Evelyn, for 53 wonderful years and was extremely proud of his entire family. He played a major role in ensuring traditional family reunions continued and had a strong sense of connection to so many members of a large family tree. Fred spent much of his retirement actively involved in the lives of his grandchildren and always made family his number one priority.

Throughout his life Fred was actively involved in community service. He was extremely active with The Salvation Army, serving on their Advisory Board in three cities including Raleigh, and was elected a Life Member of the Salvation Army Board in Wake County in 2011. He held leadership positions in multiple organizations including the Raleigh Rescue Mission, Wake County Human Services Board, and the NC Lung Association.

Fred turned the greatest tragedy in his life, the death of his son Mark, into inspiration to help save the lives of others. He was one of the driving forces responsible for the opening of The Healing Place of Wake County in 2001. Ensuring the ongoing success of this amazing place was his mission. He continued to give of his time, talents, and resources for the remainder of his life. Fred taught classes, assisted alumni in finding housing and employment, served on the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees, and was a mentor to a multitude of people. He will be dearly missed.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 28 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at The Healing Place of Wake County, 1251 Goode St., Raleigh. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 29 at 1:00 pm at Edenton St. United Methodist Church, 228 W. Edenton St., Raleigh and the family will receive friends there immediately afterwards. Burial to follow at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7501 Glenwood Ave.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Healing Place of Wake County Endowment, 1251 Goode St., Raleigh, NC 27603.

Condolences may be made online at www.MitchellatRMP.com