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Crowd gathers to celebrate Barron

By Staff | Jan 26, 2018

Vanessa McGuigan/Chronicle Denny Barron greets guests at his retirement party, sponsored by Jefferson Security Bank.

Several hundred guests and well-wishers filed in and out of the Barron room at the Shepherdstown Fire Department last Saturday to celebrate Dennis “Denny” Barron’s retirement from Jefferson Security Bank.

Crowds enjoyed food made by Betty’s Restaurant and giant sheet cakes provided by the Sweet Shop.

Guests mingled and told stories about Barron while a video tribute played in the background. A “Distinguished Mountaineer” certificate, issued by Governor Jim Justice and citing many of Barron’s awards and years of service to the community, was on display.

Darlene Collis, who is retired from JSB in Martinsburg, said Barron was known around the community for his willingness to help others.

“Denny is a warm person and always hard-working,” Collis said. “People would come in the bank and go to Denny because they knew he could help them out. He knows everything because he’s been there for so long.”

A former schoolmate of Barron’s, Ruth Brown, echoed Collis’ sentiment.

“He’s always been very helpful. He would help anybody, Brown said. “Jefferson Security will have a huge void. The person that replaces him will have big shoes to fill. He’s well-liked and he’s an amazing man.”

School Board member Mark Osbourn said he grew up with Barron.

“Denny and I were in the same graduation class in 1969 from Shepherdstown High School,” said Osbourn. “My dad taught him math and he attributes his bookkeeping skills to my father. He’s just a high quality person-someone you can depend on; a person who’s as honest as they can be. In any way that you would need help, Denny would be a person you could depend on. He’s one of the pillars of our community.”

Barron, 66, is a Shepherdstown native and a graduate of Shepherd University in 1973. He began his career at JSB that same year as a teller and bookkeeper. He now retires as an executive vice president and the Chief Operations Officer of JSB. He’s joining the bank’s Board of Directors and will still be active in the community, including by remaining the treasurer for the Shepherdstown Fire Department.