Augusta, GA - D. Douglas Barnard, Jr., former Congressman and retired banker, died Thursday, January 11, 2018. He represented Georgia’s 10th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for eight terms from 1977 to 1993.
Born March 20, 1922 in Augusta, Georgia, Barnard had a way of lighting up a room and bringing a smile to everyone’s face. He mentored generations of aspiring leaders. He was a true gentleman who spent his life serving others, promoting Augusta, and improving the quality of life for everyone he met. He was a lifetime Baptist who taught Sunday School, remained anchored in his faith, and lived life as a committed Christian.
Barnard graduated from the Academy of Richmond County in 1939 and received his A.B. degree from Mercer University in 1943. Following college Barnard served in the United States Army from 1943-1945. He then received his law degree from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. Following law school, Barnard began a successful career as a banker in Augusta. From 1963 to 1966, Barnard served as the Executive Secretary to Governor Carl E. Sanders, Barnard’s lifelong friend. In 1976, Barnard became the first U.S. Congressman from Augusta in 72 years when our community wisely elected him to represent Georgia’s 10th Congressional District in U.S. House of Representatives. Barnard diligently represented his constituents for eight terms before retiring from Congress in 1993.
Congressman Barnard was an influential and highly regarded legislator on a wide variety of economic issues. He was viewed by members of both parties in the House and Senate as an authority on financial and banking matters. A senior member of the House Banking Committee, Barnard devoted much of his Congressional career to restructuring outdated regulations in order to expand American competitiveness in global markets, particularly after the European Union commenced modernization of its financial markets in 1990. Through his expertise and the respect, he earned from his colleagues, there was very little in financial services legislation that passed during his time in Congress that did not bear Bernard’s imprint.
Barnard received numerous awards and honors throughout his life. The Doug Barnard, Jr. Parkway was named for him in 1994. Then in 1996 he was honored by Congress with the passage of the Doug Barnard Olympic Coin Bill. He served on the Board of Trustees for Mercer University and Augusta University. While in Congress, he served on the Board of Visitors for the United States Air Force Academy.
In a 2007 interview, Barnard reflected that, “I’ve had a very interesting life. I have tried to take advantage of the opportunities that have come my way.” Today, his friends and family are grateful for that interesting life and are happy that he took advantage of each and every opportunity that life provided. In particular, Barnard will be remembered for his great sense of humor and his constant search for a good practical joke.
Doug Barnard is survived by his loving wife Betty Blanchard Barnard. Naomi Holt "Nopi" Barnard, his first wife, pre-deceased him. He is survived by three children: Maj. (retired) Douglas Barnard, III (Nancy), Pam Barnard Chafee (Campbell), and Lucy Barnard Bard. He is survived by grandchildren Drew Douglas Barnard, IV (Elizabeth), Heather Lynn Barnard, Megan Elizabeth Barnard, Geoffrey Scott Bard (Christian), Peter Douglas Bard, Aimee Chafee Gay (Jared) and Brian James Chafee (Stefanie). He is survived by great-grandchildren Mary Kendall Gay, Nathan Thomas Gay, and Murphy Douglas Gay. He is survived by step children Steven Farrell, Susan Howell (Larry) and Lynn Deloach (Terry), as well as step grandchildren, Chandler DeLoach, Kathryn Lee Overton, and step great-grandchildren Ryan Mason, Jr.
Pallbearers are: Judge Carlisle Overstreet, Hugh Connolly, Frank Christian, Don Grantham, Bryan Ginn, Trav Paine, Hon. Buddy Darden, Herb Upton, Pat Blanchard, David Bell, and Jim Overstreet. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the First Baptist Church Crusaders Sunday School class.
The funeral will be held on Monday, January 15, 2018 at 3:00 PM at First Baptist Church. The family will receive visitors beginning at 2:00 PM on Monday, January 15, 2018 at First Baptist Church. The Reverend Will Dyer will officiate at the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Augusta, Augusta University, Augusta Warrior Project, and Mercer University.