Brigadier General Timothy Barrick

One of Sistersville’s native sons will be honored, posthumously, with a bridge dedicated to him on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

The state Route 2 bridge between the entrance to the Sistersville Country Club and state Route 18, bridge number 48-2-8.84, will be named the Brigadier General Timothy Barrick Bridge. Signs featuring General Barrick’s name will be unveiled during the ceremony by Del. Roger Romine, R-Tyler.

Sistersville City Council has approved to temporarily hold traffic for the ceremony that will involve the American Legion Honor Guard. There will be a reception immediately following the ceremony at the Wells Inn.

Romine introduced the legislation to have the bridge dedicated to Barrick. That official document states, in part, “Brigadier General Timothy C. Barrick, soldier, gentleman and proud West Virginian, was the great-great-great-grandson of a long line of a civic and country serving family. His great-great-great-grandfather was Presley Martin, the founder of New Martinsville. His grandfather, William D. Barrick Sr., who moved to Sistersville in 1928 and started the General Dry Cleaning Company, was the leading force who brought Linde Air Products to Sistersville in 1954. This same grandfather, along with two other men, also bought and donated to Sistersville the land now known as Country Club Heights. Like his ancestors before him, Timothy C. Barrick was an honorable and giving man.

“Tim’s father, William D. Barrick, Jr., served his country during World War II. His brother William D. Barrick, III served in the Navy. So as a lad Tim signed up for the Army in 1966 during one of our nation’s darkest hours, The Vietnam War.” Barrick was a 1967 graduate of Sistersville High School and was commissioned in the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant, Infantry, in 1967.

This bridge, between state Route 18 and the Sistersville Country Club, will be dedicated to Brigadier General Timothy Barrick at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday May 23. Traffic will be blocked, and members of the community are welcome to attend the ceremony.

Barrick’s list of military achievements is lengthy. It includes being awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Air Medal (two awards), Army Commendation Medal (three awards), Army Achievement Medal (two awards), Humanitarian Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Parachutist Badge. He was presented the Alabama Distinguished Service Medal, the state’s highest award.

“Tim loved his roots and Tyler County. He came home as often as he could. He is the highest ranking officer ever to graduate from Sistersville High School,” states the legislation.

Brigadier General Timothy C. Barrick died in June 2004. He is survived by his wife Linda and his two daughters, Courtney and Stephanie; his mother, Janet Barrick; his brother, Billy Dean; and his sister, Melissa Flesher.