Barry Beaty Donnell

November 2, 1939 - May 9, 2025

Barry Beaty Donnell, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and cherished friend, passed away on May 9, 2025, joining his Lord and Savior. He was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, on November 2, 1939, the only child of Sam and Nina (Beaty) Donnell.

A memorial service under the direction of Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home will be held at 2:30pm on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church in Wichita Falls, TX with Dr. Isaac Butterworth and Rev. Michael Hansen officiating. A reception will follow in Westminster Fellowship Hall.

Barry was a proud graduate of Wichita Falls High School, class of 1957. At just 17, he began his studies at Southern Methodist University, where he earned a BBA in Economics in 1961. Following college, Barry served with distinction in the Texas Air National Guard, including six months of active duty and several years in the Reserves.

A distinguished member of Kappa Alpha Order (KA) and former president of the National Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation, Barry was awarded the Order's highest honor, the Knight Commander's Accolade, in 2015.

On September 16, 1977, one year to the day after they met, Barry married the love of his life, Johnelle Matz. Together, they were faithful members of First Presbyterian Church for nearly five decades. Barry served as both Trustee and Elder, and he chaired numerous church committees. He was a devoted member of the Men's Bible Class and often recruited new members.

The Donnell family participated in mission work with Ron Hutchcraft Ministries/On Eagles' Wings, serving Native American communities across North America for ten years, from Washington and Montana to New York and Canada. These experiences deepened their gratitude for their own upbringings and fueled a lifelong commitment to spreading the gospel and helping others have a better quality of life, values passed to their progeny.

As active members of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO), one of their most unforgettable moments came during a New Year's Eve celebration at the Kremlin in Moscow, shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union. At midnight, a Russian military choir in full uniform took the stage and sang "God Bless America" in English, an extraordinary and poignant memory Barry loved to recount.

Barry began collecting coins as a young boy, ultimately building a rare and valuable collection that was recognized nationally. He was also known for his extraordinary streak of attending the Masters Golf Tournament for 52 consecutive years. Even after he could no longer attend, he generously gifted his tickets, along with his expert tips, to friends and strangers alike, and was always eager to hear about their Augusta experiences when they returned.

In 1961, Barry entered the manufactured housing industry, joining the family-owned Town & Country Homes. At just 26, he became the youngest president of any company listed on the American Stock Exchange when he took the company public. After selling Town & Country to U.S. Home Corporation in 1982, Barry launched Financial Guaranty Life Insurance Company, which catered to owners of manufactured homes. His innovative "A deed, not a debt" policy generated first-year sales of over $120 million.

Following a non-compete period, Barry co-founded Cavalier Homes, Inc. in 1984. Under his leadership, the company grew to 24 plants with over 5,000 employees. Barry achieved a lifetime goal when Cavalier Homes went public in 1994 and was named one of the 200 best-managed small companies in the world in the Nov. 7, 1994 issue of Forbes magazine. The company was sold to Warren Buffett in 2009.  In the years after his formal retirement, Barry remained active in investment endeavors alongside his son.

In 1984 Barry invested in Rolling Meadows Retirement Center, but it declared bankruptcy in the early '90s.  Barry was appointed by the bankruptcy court to be chairman of the bondholders' committee before later being named to lead Rolling Meadows' board. His "methodical business mind" was able to see big problems and come up with workable solutions, bringing Rolling Meadows back into solvency and allowing for its continuous operation.

Barry was gentle, solid, a gifted storyteller, a visionary entrepreneur, and easy to love. He always had a smile, a hug, and a joke ready for anyone who needed it.  He was an incredible husband, father, and grandfather.  He was "a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24) to many. His wisdom, humility, humor, and unwavering faith left a lasting imprint on all who knew him.

Barry is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Johnelle, and their children: Tennyson Logan (John) of Sydney, Australia; Paige Donnell of San Francisco; and Dustin Donnell (Carolyn) of Austin. He was the proud grandfather of five adored granddaughters who brought him endless joy – Tenny and Hannah of San Francisco, and Grace, Lilly, and Charlotte of Austin.  Additionally, he is survived by his beloved orange tabby cat, Carmelo, who he also loved dearly.

Friends are welcome to pay respects and sign the guestbook at Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home, 2812 Midwestern Parkway in Wichita Falls. Hours are 8 am-7 pm daily, and until 12:30 on the day of the funeral.

In honor of Barry's legacy of faith and generosity, memorial donations may be made to:

-  Faith Mission / Faith Refuge faithmissionwf.org

PO Box 965, Wichita Falls, TX 76307

-  On Eagles' Wings oneagleswings.com

PO Box 400, Harrison, AR 72602