Liberty County Commissioner Dexter Barber dies of complications from COVID-19

A Liberty County Commissioner who died from complications with COVID-19 is being remembered as a generous man and a champion of his rural corner of Florida.

Dexter Barber, 75, died early Wednesday morning, the first county commissioner in the state to pass during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. His death was announced by Florida Association of Counties President Melissa McKinlay.

McKinlay, herself a Palm Beach County Commissioner, announced the death on Twitter.

"Florida has lost her first county commissioner to COVID," McKinlay wrote. "Commissioner Dexter Barber from Liberty County passed away early this morning. We are currently gathering details & ask you to keep the Barber family in your prayers."

Coronavirus in the headlines:

• Coronavirus Florida: Trends begin to head upward after a two-day dip
• Superintendent warns of discipline if teachers, staff, students don't follow virus rules
• Medical examiner reports show four times more Leon County COVID-19 deaths than state does

State Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, grew up with Barber in the Bristol-Blountstown area. They’ve known each other long before they got into politics and Montford described his friend as uniquely dependable.

“Dexter was from the old school where a man’s word was his bond. You didn’t need a contract with Dexter all you needed was a handshake,” Montford said in an interview. “He was a fighter for his constituents and he was a fighter for Liberty County and they don’t make them like Dexter anymore.”

Liberty County’s Sheriff Eddie Joe White in a statement said Barber’s death is a harrowing reminder of the seriousness of the pandemic, which has killed more than 7,600 Floridians since March.

More:Medical examiner reports show four times more Leon County COVID-19 deaths than state does

“It was with deep sadness that Sheriff Eddie Joe White received the news of the death of County Commissioner Dexter Barber. Commissioner Barber served our community faithfully for many years. Commissioner Barber’s passing is a huge loss for our community and the Board of County Commissioners,” White wrote. “Commissioner Barber’s death reaffirms the seriousness of this pandemic our community faces. Again, I ask that everyone do their part to stop the spread of this disease and keep each other safe.”

Outpourings of support and sadness flooded social media upon the news of Barber’s passing. Many people commented on Barber’s genuine nature and contributions to the community including building multiple houses for people.

Former Liberty County School District Superintendent Tony Anderson called Barber an “icon" in the rural county and a shining example of public service.

“I don’t know anybody that loved Liberty County, his family and his God more than he did,” Anderson wrote in a heartfelt social media post. “He was a kind, compassionate, gentleman who was a leader by his actions much more than words. He has left a legacy in so many facets of this life that it would take writing a book to cover.”

This a developing story, stay tuned to this space for updates.

Contact Karl Etters at ketters@tallahassee.com or @KarlEtters on Twitter.

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