Thursday, June 30, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
'Mayor Gail Barney Gave Wholeheartedly to the Town of Queen Creek'
PHOENIX, ARIZONA—Our deepest condolences and sympathies go out to the family, friends and community left behind with the passing of Queen Creek Mayor Gail Barney. Mayor Barney died at the age of 74 on June 22, after battling a lung infection for several months.
As a dedicated public servant, Mayor Barney spent his life working for the people of Queen Creek. Born in Safford and raised in Queen Creek, Mayor Barney lived on and maintained a family farm until he began his first assignment in local government with the Queen Creek Planning and Zoning Commission in 1998. He spent four years on the commission before serving as a council member for the Town of Gilbert. In 2010, he was elected as Mayor of Queen Creek and represented the town in a number of different roles, including on the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Regional Council and Transportation Policy Committee, the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority Board of Directors, the Arizona Municipal Tax Code Commission, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, as well as the town's Public Safety Retirement Boards for Fire and Police.
"Mayor Gail Barney gave wholeheartedly to the Town of Queen Creek," said Senator T.J. Shope. "Under his leadership, Queen Creek experienced incredible economic growth. His kindness and dedication to the community was unmatched, and he was able to work with just about anyone to strengthen businesses, schools, transportation, infrastructure, public safety, as well as emergency response for the people he so loved to serve. I am deeply saddened that he is no longer with us. May the good Lord comfort his family during this difficult time. Mayor Barney's legacy will live on through the culture and family traditions that blossomed under his watch. He leaves behind some big shoes to fill."
Mayor Barney is survived by his wife, three children, 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He will be laid to rest on Saturday, July 9th.
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications
Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
kquintero@azleg.gov