Barry S. Gillingwater

Barry S. Gillingwater, age 65 died Thursday, April 2nd at his home in Austin, Texas. Barry was preceded in death by his father Walter Gillingwater and his brother Duane Gillingwater and is survived by his wife Norma, his mother Patsy Valdes and husband Tony, of Houston, sister Deidre Valdes of Dunsmuir, California and his children Monique Riley, and husband Randall of Austin, Paige Henton and husband Holland of Los Angeles, California and Barry S. Gillingwater, II, and wife Mindy of Austin. He was known as Papa Bear, to his precious grandchildren Macy and Rhett Riley of Austin, Barry III (Trey) and Mason Claire Gillingwater of Austin, Destin and Cash Henton of Los Angeles, California, Jay and Ty Henton of Austin. His sister-in-laws include Jessica Attra and husband Jimmy of Bastrop, Texas and Angelique Montgomery-Goodnough of Hollywood, Florida. His neices and nephews James and Jordan Attra of Austin, Amanda and Chad Goodnough of Delrey, Florida and Austin. Koali and Leah Gillingwater of Los Angeles, California and New York also miss their Uncle Bear. Barry was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to the late Walter Gillingwater and wife Patsy. Barry lost his father at a young age and together with his mother and late brother Duane, relocated to Houston, Texas where he graduated from Spring Branch High School. Barry attended Tarlton State College where he met the love of his life and wife, Norma Ann. After their marriage, he transfered from the University of Houston to the University of Texas at Austin where he completed a degree in pharmacy in 1967. Barry was a consummate entrepreneur and began several businesses even as he completed his degree at UT-Austin and began practicing pharmacy. In 1968 he purchased a property management business from Walter Carrington and began a legacy of companies beginning with Gillingwater Management. Barry believed in service to the industry and to the community and served as president of both the Austin and the Texas Apartment Associations and president of the Austin Chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management, and actively supported the March of Dimes and the Austin Livestock Show, participated for many years in the Capital 10K and was a regular fixture on the trails around Town Lake. Although he was a member of many organizations, the membership he treasured most was the Texas Exes, rarely missing a home game of his beloved Longhorns. Barry loved life and lived it to the fullest. The home he shared with wife Norma Ann was the center of the family and a large circle of friends that gathered almost every summer weekend. Barry took breaks from his role at the BBQ to pull his grandchildren for hours on the inner tube up and down Lake Austin. At home in business or boardroom, he was most fulfilled when he was surrounded by his loving family and friends whether in his own backyard in Austin or on the beach in Acapulco, the British Virgin Islands or Port Aransas. Visitation will be Monday, April 6th beginning at 5pm with a rosary beginning at 7pm at Weed-Corley-Fish's location at Lamar and 32nd St. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 7th at 2pm at St. Theresa's Catholic Church. Serving as pallbearers will be Marshall Boyd, Jack Sabo, Sean Sorrell, Benny Boyd, Paul Holcomb, Ed Hamel, Roger Beasley and Tim Timmerman. Honorary pallbearers will be Dick Tonn, Steve Young, Richard Kooris, Gary Davis and Ross Cummings. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association or the Town Lake Beautification project.