Barry L. Hefner

Barry Lynn Hefner, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and "world-class athlete," passed away on July 15, 2026, at the age of 60. He was born on July 23, 1965, in Wichita Falls, Texas, before moving with his family to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he spent his early childhood. They later settled in Waco, where Barry attended Midway High School and became a standout on the varsity basketball team. It was there that he developed the competitive spirit that would remain with him throughout his life. He went on to attend Southwest Texas State University, where he earned his bachelor's degree. After graduation, Barry followed in his father's footsteps by managing Vandever's department store in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In 1990, Barry moved to Dallas and entered the financial services industry, where he built an extraordinary career. After a few formative years at Edward Jones, he joined Merrill Lynch, beginning a distinguished thirty-year career that would later include leadership roles at BlackRock and, ultimately, &Partners as a founding partner. Barry was an exceptional relationship builder whose warmth, wit, and authenticity earned the trust and respect of clients and colleagues throughout the industry.

At BlackRock, he led the firm's alternative investments and investment management sales efforts within the private wealth channel; helping build one of the firm's most important businesses. Joining &Partners gave him the opportunity to help build something new alongside people he deeply respected, a challenge he embraced with enthusiasm and one of the most rewarding chapters of his professional life.

Outside of work, Barry's greatest passions were golf, tennis, pickleball, and Oklahoma Sooners football. He spent countless hours on the courts and fairways at The Nelson in Irving, where he formed lasting friendships and created many memories. Whether competing, swapping stories after a round, or making everyone around him laugh with his quick wit and playful sarcasm, Barry had a way of making every gathering more enjoyable. And while he loved spending time with friends, everyone knew that if there was a game being played, Barry intended to win it.

More than anything, Barry loved his family. He and his wife, Amy, shared a love of creating memories with family and friends. They found joy in life’s simple moments, from long walks hand in hand and late-night trips to Braum’s to dreaming together about the lake home they were building. Barry was immensely proud of his daughters, Grayson and Savanna, and cherished every opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and support them through life’s milestones. Becoming "Papa Bear" to his granddaughter, Sophie, was one of the greatest joys of his life. Watching her grow over the past year was one of his happiest chapters, and he embraced being her grandfather with the same enthusiasm and pride that defined everything he did. Barry also treasured his role as stepfather to Charlotte and Carter Lauten and was grateful for the close-knit family they built together.

Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Glenda Hefner, and his sister, Lori McGrew. He is survived by his wife, Amy; his daughters, Grayson and Savanna, and their mother, Sammy Hefner; his son-in-law, Elliot Carlew; his granddaughter, Sophie; his stepchildren, Charlotte and Carter Lauten; his sisters, Lisa Whitehead and Lee Ann Hefner; his nieces and nephews: Blake Cole, Jackie Cole, Cameron Cole, Abby McGrew, and Brooke Thomas.

Barry will be remembered for his quick wit, generous heart, and his remarkable ability to turn colleagues into friends and friends into family. His greatest legacy lives on in the family he loved so deeply and in the many friendships he created throughout his life. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A celebration of Barry's life will be held on Thursday, July 23, at First United Methodist Church in Dallas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Irving Cares in Barry's memory.