Person With Motorcycle In Background — George Barber. (Marc Bonderenko / Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum )

George Barber Jr., local businessman, real estate developer, philanthropist and founder of Barber Motorsports Park, has passed away.

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum announced his death Monday evening.

Barber, who was born in 1940, owned Barber Dairies from 1970 to 1998. He is also best known for establishing the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum and Barber Motorsports Park, which is home to the Children’s of Alabama Grand Prix.

Alabamagrandprix 20240426 125928 Remembering George Barber Jr.: A Legacy In Motorsports And Philanthropy — Alabama Grand Prix – Radical Cup (Bham Now)

According to Business Alabama, which awarded Barber their lifetime achievement award in 2025, he supported many local Birmingham causes, including UAB, Birmingham Museum of Art, McWane Science Center and the Nature Conservancy, among others.

Barber also served on the Forever Wild Board of Trustees and was named Alabama Wildlife Federation’s Conservationist of the Year.

Want to learn more about George Barber? Checkout the Alabama Public Television documentary about his life.