Dr. George Harden Barnett Sr., 86, died Dec. 28, 2009, at Lake Prince Woods.
Born in Suffolk, Va., he was the son of the late Ora Yates and David Frank Barnett Sr., and brother of the late Lt. Col. David Frank Barnett Jr., USAF. Dr. Barnett was a retired dentist and president of Barnett Rentals. He was a lifetime member of Suffolk Christian Church and a former member of the Suffolk Lions Club and the Virginia and American Dental Associations. A member of the American Legion, Dr. Barnett served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Dr. Barnett served the city of Suffolk as city councilman and mayor. He also was founder of the Suffolk Leadership Academy and Suffolk Tomorrow. Dr. Barnett was chosen First Citizen of Suffolk in 1987.
Survivors include his former wife, Maxine Elder Barnett; his daughter, Gloria B. Barrett and her husband L. Judson Barrett, of Chapel Hill, N.C.; son, G. Harden Barnett Jr., and his wife, Elizabeth D. Barnett, of Suffolk; son, Glenn Elder Barnett and wife, Mary K. Barnett, of Richmond; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his wife, Judy C. Barnett, of Virginia Beach, Va.
A memorial service will be conducted Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Suffolk Christian Church by the Rev. Michael D. Halley. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends at R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory on Wednesday between 5 and 7 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, 110 W. Finney Ave., Suffolk, Va., or Suffolk Christian Church, 216 N. Main St., Suffolk, VA 23434. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.