Barry Eugene Minter, 79, of Chatsworth, went to be with his Savior on October 5, 2026. 

Barry was born June 21, 1947 to Byron and Virginia Walker Minter in Marietta, Georgia. The son of an itinerant minister, Barry lived all over the state of Georgia, and once calculated that he attended 14 schools over the course of his life. 

In 1966, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving in Vietnam assigned to the Army Security Agency. It was there that he was exposed to the defoliant Agent Orange, which, like so many of the veterans from his era, led to life long health issues.

 It was during his service in Vietnam that Barry met the love of his life, Dianne Long of Dalton. Barry and Dianne’s parents knew each other from church and Barry’s mother asked Dianne to write a letter to her son in Vietnam. They wrote each other for the rest of his service. 

Upon his honorable discharge from the Army in 1969, Barry came to Dalton to finally meet Dianne in person, and they married in 1970.

 Barry first ran his own business, the Plaza Barber Shop where he made many lifelong friends. He continued working full-time while also attending college and graduated from Berry College. He then transitioned to a career in the floor covering industry, working for several companies in personnel, manufacturing, claims and sales, retiring in 2015. Barry was the consummate salesman, having never met a stranger and quickly turning people into friends. 

Barry was a devoted and supportive father and grandfather. He never missed a school or extracurricular event, even if it meant driving hours to get there. He truly believed there was nothing that his son or granddaughters could not accomplish and he encouraged them to aim high toward big goals. 

Barry was devoted to his faith, accepting Christ as his savior at an early age. He was a member of Central Community Church in Chatsworth where he served in many capacities during his younger years, including deacon and Sunday School teacher. He had a deep bass singing voice and could often be heard singing hymns and worship songs as he went about his day.

 During his retirement years, Barry enjoyed driving around his property in Spring Place directing projects from his mobility scooter (with his rifle strapped to the back). Barry appreciated the friendship of his morning coffee buddies at American Legion Post 167. Solving the worlds’ problems with his friends Bruce Kendrick, Tom Ramsey, France Adams, Pete Adams, Bob Wilson, Jack Hawkins, Larry Sampson, and James Adams was often the best part of his day. His coffee crew will serve as his honorary pall bearers. 

Barry Minter was preceded in death by his parents, Byron and Virginia Minter, his sisters Wanda Minter and Glenda Salmon, and sister-in-law Brenda Long.

 He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Dianne Minter, son and daughter-in-law Judge Scott and Melissa Minter, and his cherished granddaughters Laura and Leah Minter, all of Chatsworth. Also surviving are brothers and sisters-in-law Terry and Kathy Minter of Waxahachie, Texas and Frankie and Kaye Minter of Powder Springs, sisters and brothers-in-law Joy and Jock Ellis of Cumming and Cindy Minter and David Perry of Chattanooga, and brother-in-law Hal Long of Dalton. The family would like to thank special friend and caregiver Robert McGill as well as the staff of Campassus Hospice for their excellent care for Barry.

 Services to celebrate the life of Barry Eugene Minter will be held at Central Community Church, 60 Pine Hills Dr., Chatsworth on Friday October 9 at 12 PM. The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday October 8 from 5 to 7 PM, and on Friday from 11 am until the funeral hour. 

He will be interred at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton with military honors provided by the American Legion Post 167 Honor Guard.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the memory of Barry Minter to the Central Community Church building fund at PO Box 398 Chatsworth, GA 30705.