Henry L. Barney Jr.

“When a person dies, he only appears to die. He is still very much alive in the past, so it is very silly for people to cry at his funeral. All moments, past, present and future, always have existed, always will exist forever…” Kurt Vonnegut.

Henry “Hank” Louis Barney, Jr. passed away surrounded by his brother, sister, and sister-in-law on Friday, April 25th, 2025.

Hank was preceded in death by his wife, Diane Cole Barney; father, Henry L. Barney, Sr., mother, Tina Beth Barney Robinson; stepfather, F. M. “Robbie” Robinson; oldest brother, Maurice “Speck” Barney and sister-in-law, Rhonda; and brother-in-law, Joseph “Buster” LaBanca. Hank is survived by his brother Paul, and wife, Sharon; sister, Pamela Barney LaBanca; three stepchildren, three step grandchildren, three step greatgrandchildren, seven nieces, one nephew, three grandnieces and six grandnephews.

An avid reader, Hank enjoyed authors such as Kurt Vonnegut, Tom Robbins, and J. R. R. Tolkien. Like his favorite authors, he had an outlook that death is cyclical; an eventuality of nature, and so Hank lived his trips around the sun with a purpose towards self-authenticity and joy. He defied any molds - loving the slapstick comedy of the 3 Stooges, while thriving at trivia, Scrabble, and literature. He was an active Democrat who believed in civil liberties for everyone. He loved studying history & politics with favorites being Presidents Thomas Jefferson and Lyndon Johnson. He was a big, physical man who loved to swim daily at Deep Eddy Pool, care for his cats, and religiously read the Austin American-Statesman (a trait inherited from his beloved stepfather Robbie Robinson). He married late in life and chose not to have children, but spent time ensuring his stepchildren, numerous nieces and nephews felt loved by always taking an interest in their lives. He sent thoughtfully curated (often custom) birthday cards guaranteed to be the best received each year by making the recipients belly laugh. Hank knew it was important not to take many things too seriously. Hank was also a walking Rock-n-Roll encyclopedia when it came to bands. Who started them, what year, founding members who stayed, who left, if they started a new group, every artist’s name involved and their musical libraries. It was truly amazing.

Hank and his brothers were a loud, hilarious mess as boys and men. The biological brothers resembled each other a lot, and not just physically. Hank and Paul loved to joke upon their introduction to someone new with the first brother saying, “I’m the good-looking one” [brother] and the second brother responding, “He lies a lot.” Robbie moved the family to Austin after marrying Hank’s mother. This move began a lifelong love affair with the City of Austin. Pam and Hank were the youngest of the four siblings and had a close bond, attending and graduating from Travis High School. The music scene in the early 1970s was highly influential on Hank, who worked as a bouncer at Mother Earth and never stopped loving the music scene. In addition, throughout Hank’s work career he was employed with Brown Distributing Company, Macy’s, Star Furniture and Twin Liquors.

He lived in Austin most of his adult life, with a short stint in Falls Church, Virginia and Washington, D.C., where he worked at Hudson Trail Outfitters. New friends soon introduced Hank to his wife of twenty-nine years, Diane. Hank missed his Texas home and convinced Diane that they should return to Austin and marry. Hank and Diane adventured together through many national parks and enjoyed being together enjoying nature’s surroundings.

Hank was known for his boisterous, free-flowing laughter that would light up a room. He is missed by many friends and his family, who will never forget the moments they experienced with Hank. Friends and family take solace in knowing those moments will continue to exist in their memories. Hank was lucky not only in love but also in the people who held membership in his chosen family.

At Hank’s request no viewing or services will be held. Interment will be at the Alice Fraternal Cemetery, Alice, Texas.

Honorary Pallbearers:

Ken Bruce, Richard Salinas, Tim McGhee, Keith New, Amy Mintz, Marc Weinstein, Steve Weinstein, Mark Neumann, and Mike Rader.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Friends of Deep Eddy (FODE).