About David West Barber

David West Barber, who went by West, was born in DeKalb County, Illinois on January 7, 1890. His parents, Manly Dewitt Barber and Sarah Jane Love, relocated to Knoxville soon after Manly’s younger brother, George Barber Sr., made the move. 

West was raised with his cousin, Charlie Barber, who was three years older. He got a taste of architecture by assisting Charles in technical detailing for his design of the J. Powell Smith residence.

West, like Charlie and Ben McMurry Sr., attended University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1914 after a break to take care of his ailing father. He briefly worked for Perkins, Fellows & Hamilton in Chicago around 1914, then for Spencer & Powers.

West married Carol Parmelee, sister of frequent Barber McMurry collaborator Dean Parmelee, in 1915. West and Carol had three children: Florence, David West Jr., and Dean.

West returned to Knoxville in 1916 and briefly worked at Barber McMurry before being drafted for World War I. He served in France in a unique unit of artists, architects and related professions to paint camouflage. He returned to Knoxville, and Barber McMurry, in 1919. 

Writing in later life, West credited Charles as chief designer, Ben as business manager and specifications, and himself as "sort of in between." West did design projects himself, particularly residential and religious projects, among them the residence for the Mayor of Maryville, David Young, in 1920. He ultimately became a Partner at Barber McMurry.

West’s love for the mountains led to his longtime involvement in the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club, which he helped found along with his brother Guy, Charlie, and Charlie’s brother, George Jr. West was president of the Club in 1940, the same year the Great Smoky Mountains National Park opened.

West retired from Barber McMurry in 1965, and died in 1979.