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Tony Barnhill - Discussion Thread

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I am deeply saddened by the news of Tony's passing. I cannot count the number of times his insight and advice helped me over the years. Though I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person, I felt that I had gotten to know him and always valued his wisdom. He was a cornerstone of this community. My sincerest condolences to Jerri and their family, and I wish Jerri a speedy recovery.

Godspeed, Tony. You will be missed.
 
This is a total shock.

Tony's influence on me was to make sure that I approach my mechanical/electrical solutions in a methodological way. Also not to throw unproven whizzbangs at the car just because. He may not have realized it but those were his gift to me.

Best wishes to his Wife and family.

Someone above wrote to use this as a reflection on our own personal life. I am in the middle of a contentious divorce and all the hoo haa of the divorce didn't matter anymore to me at the instant that I read of Tony's passing. Life is indeed fragile and we should live it to the fullest.

Godspeed Tony.
 
I'm a bit late picking up on this and am just stunned. Tony helped me with advice and parts as I worked on my '63 Midget too. I'm almost in tears and I NEVER cry. For a guy I never met and only typed at.
One of the truly Good Guys.

News Article (updated) (updated)
 
Like many other folks on the BCF I've never met nor spoken with Tony. Yet, I've read and benefited from many of his posted. He was quick to share his knowledge with anyone who asked. It seems clear that he was a giver. I'd be quick to give back if Jerri needed anything! My condolences to Jerri and family.
Dale
 
Godspeed, Colonel.

salute_flag_alt.jpg
 
Thanks, PC. He'd have liked that. :thumbsup:
 
Oh no! I didn't notice Basil's thread until just now. This is awful. Tony was extremely friendly and helpful to me, and a source of much humor, advice, and general good feelings on the forum. I'm just glad that I got to interact with him for the short time I've been here. I'm certain that he will be sorely missed by his friends and family. My sincere condolences to all those who loved him and my best wishes and hope for a speedy recovery to Jerri.

Dave
 
May I suggest that in honor of Tony and all the wisdom and invaluable articles he contributed to the BCF that the archives be named in his memory?

Tony not being here any more is like one of the faces being gone from Mt. Rushmore - incomprensible.

God bless Tony and God bless Jerri, please heal her emotional wounds as well as her physical ones. The broken bones will heal more quickly than the broken heart. :cry:
 
Truly a loss to us all, he was helpful in putting the finishing touches on my car he will be missed. Best wishes to the health of his wife and family.

Mark
 
OK, in addition to expressing my condolences above, I thought I should come back and relay a nice story about Tony. I was in a quandary last year regarding the back brakes of my MGBGT because I'd figured out that new wheel cylinders wouldn't fit because somebody had previously installed a roadster rear axle with roadster backplates. Upon learning this, Tony quickly offered up that he might have some backplates on one of his yard cars that he didn't need. The next day, he went out and removed them and sent them to me. He charged the absurdly low amount of $5 each plus shipping (which of course was much more than the $10 parts cost). What a guy. I'm happy to report that the backplates that Tony had wrenched with his own hands are now happily riding around (along with a bit of Tony karma) on my GT, which has transitioned into my daughter's daily driver.
 
All,

I graduated Buckhorn HS in 1994. That was the year that LTC Barnhill first came to the school and as a senior, me and some others helped set up the JROTC program. He had a strong influence in my life. Here I find myself 15 years into my Air Force career and far removed from Alabama and no doubt owe some credit to him. My mom sent me a text this morning to let me know of his passing as did another former JROTC member.

Over the years I would go back and visit whenever I found time to make it home. I think the last time I saw him was 2-3 years ago. He was still teaching at Buckhorn but told me of his pending retirement.

I dont drive a British car (Miatas) but I feel your loss just the same. Hopefully his wife pulls through.

MSgt Phil Patterson, USAF
 
Phil -

Thank you so much for your post. It affirms that Tony touched so many people in so many ways.
 
Could we have his obituary posted here,when it's
available?I always learn something interesting that I
wasn't aware when the person was alive.
I didn't know that he was an NJROTC instructor.Our
oldest Son was in that in high school,& it turned him
around.He graduated the Naval Academy,& is stationed on
the new aircraft carrier,the George HW Bush.
I get the feeling that he was an instuctor who made
a differance to a lot of kids.
I also posted this on the MG Forum - I was thinking
it would be a fitting tribute to have some decals printed
up with the "Autoist" logo,with something like "In Memory-
of Tony",or something like that.

- Doug
 
He was actually US Army. But JROTC nonetheless. If anyone is in northern Alabama and wants to see a program he and SGM Johnson built from scratch...roll out to New Market and take a look. Of course...coordinate with them first! I will see if my mom can get the obit.
 
:iagree:
I also took the time to revisit his website today and "toured" GarageMahal.
 
AngliaGT said:
I also posted this on the MG Forum - I was thinking
it would be a fitting tribute to have some decals printed
up with the "Autoist" logo,with something like "In Memory-
of Tony",or something like that.

- Doug
Click to expand...

Funny you should mention that as I was thinking of maybe having grill bagdes made up and sold for $35 each and the proceeds given to Jerri to help w/ expenses. Think about it for a second, 100 bagdes would give her a few thousand dollars and we'd all have a little something commemorating Tony on our cars.

We could go ahead and take orders now so we can give the money to Jerri right away.

What y'all think?
 
Unbelievable...I just sat in front of the keyboard with that little vertical line blinking and not knowing what to type.

Hope Jerri is getting better...
 
kellysguy said:
AngliaGT said:
I also posted this on the MG Forum - I was thinking
it would be a fitting tribute to have some decals printed
up with the "Autoist" logo,with something like "In Memory-
of Tony",or something like that.

- Doug
Click to expand...

Funny you should mention that as I was thinking of maybe having grill bagdes made up and sold for $35 each and the proceeds given to Jerri to help w/ expenses. Think about it for a second, 100 bagdes would give her a few thousand dollars and we'd all have a little something commemorating Tony on our cars.

We could go ahead and take orders now so we can give the money to Jerri right away.

What y'all think?
Click to expand...

We are going to do something for sure, but I'd suggest that we wait until we can assertain what the family's wishes are first. Mickey was good friends with Tony and Jerri and will hopefully connect with her and/ or Tony's daughter after which we will have a better idea of what we want to do.
 
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