Barron honored for 50 years of service at Jefferson Security Bank
SHEPHERDSTOWN — In recognition of his 50 years of dedicated service to Jefferson Security Bank (JSB), Shepherdstown resident Dennis “Denny” Barron was honored with a celebration at the Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department’s Barron Hall on Sunday.
Although he retired from his position as executive vice president and chief operations officer at JSB six years ago, capping off a 44-year career there, Barron remained involved at JSB, serving as a member of its board of directors.
According to Barron, other than the bank, he only had one other job — working for Albert Kave at Kave’s Market. It was Kave, Barron said, who got him started at the bank.
“He thought I would fit in,” Barron said at his previous retirement party in 2017. And fit in, he did.
Friends, family and community members gathered Sunday afternoon at Barron Hall to celebrate the now half-century of involvement at Jefferson Security. It was appropriate to celebrate in a room bearing his family name, as Barron spends a good deal of time at the fire department where he serves as treasurer of the volunteer company.
Those slipping in the door of Barron Hall were immediately greeted by the guest of honor who made sure to speak to everyone who happened by.
“If they are coming to see me, I want to make sure I speak to them,” Barron said.
They came by the dozens to wish Barron well, with the total number of those joining the festivities topping out over 150. Each of those folks had good words to say and stories to tell about their time knowing and working with Barron.
“He’s just a part of my family,” said long-time customer Pattie Walker. Walker has been conducting her financial business at JSB since 1971, two years prior to Barron’s arrival.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Walker said.
Sally May echoed those sentiments as she referred to Sunday’s get-together as an “amazing family reunion.”
“There certainly is no one with more integrity than Denny Barron,” commented Holly Morgan. Frye, who has known Barron for many years. The two served as 4-H volunteers together at Camp Frame where, Frye said, they were great at doing the “salty dog rag,” although she declined to demonstrate Sunday since, she laughingly noted, there was no music available.
Bank CEO Cindy Kitner spoke to the number of changes that have taken place at Jefferson Security through the course of Barron’s involvement. Vickie Cave, who joined the staff the same year as Barron, agreed that many things were different back then.
“There were around 12 employees when we started,” Cave said, adding that there was only one branch as well, which was located at the downtown ‘yellow brick bank’ location. “We balanced everything by hand and we touched every check that came in.”
Kitner also spoke to the success of the bank and how Jefferson Security has and continues to focus on community connections and personal relationships.
“Denny is the heart and soul of that,” Kitner said. “He’s touched so many through the bank and beyond through so many aspects of the community.”
John Keller, executive vice president of lending, who has 30 years with Jefferson Security Bank, agreed.
“Denny has been almost over-involved in community service,” Keller said. “He is probably the most involved person I know,” he added, saying that anyone who has been in Shepherdstown for any length of time knows Denny.
Mayor Jim Auxer added that it is not only the bank, but Barron’s involvement in so many other areas that have led him to be such a well-known and well-loved member of the community.
“Denny has lived here all his life–everyone knows him,” Auxer said, as he pointed out Barron’s contrbutions not only at the bank but at the fire department, in 4-H and in the Jefferson County Fair.
“We’re really fortunate to have Denny and so many other caring individuals in Shepherdstown,” Auxer said.