Obituary: Terry Barkin, 77

Terry Samuel Barkin, 77, died surrounded by his wife and family Thursday, July 7, 2016, at Mobile (Ala.) Infirmary.

He was born in Atlanta on Aug. 4, 1938, to Isadore and Jean Barkin. At an early age he developed a love for retail in his family’s store in Winter Haven, Fla. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1960 and earned a master’s from New York University’s Stern School of Business the next year. He served in the Coast Guard Reserve.

He worked for Rich’s Department Store in Atlanta from 1962 to 1984, eventually overseeing six divisions, including shoes and handbags, and becoming senior vice president and general merchandise manager. He worked out of the company’s downtown building and was instrumental in opening the Lenox Square location. In a field focused on glamour, Barkin was known for his data-driven, bottom-line approach and for having his children at the office on weekends and using them as clothes models in Rich’s ads.

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He left Rich’s in 1984 to found Shoe Station in Mobile. The company, a pioneer in open-shelf, self-service shoe sales, has grown to 19 stores in five states. He established a scholarship at the University of South Alabama’s Mitchell College of Business.

He is survived by his wife of nine years, Teresa; a brother, Marvin; sons James, Brent, Brad and Jordan; daughter Katherine; son-in-law Dustin; daughters-in-law Julie and Lauren; grandchildren Katherine, Walker, Barrett, Joseph and Jackson; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services were held Tuesday, July 12, at Mobile’s Springhill Avenue Temple.