By Alan Wolf
Barry Pidgeon, the force behind acclaimed retail, flooring and home remodeling enterprise Star Companies, died on August 24 from complications following kidney failure. He was 84.
The retail leg of the business, BrandSource member Starpower, is an award-winning appliance, electronics and custom integration chain with state-of-the-art showrooms in Dallas, Southlake, Texas, and Phoenix, Ariz. Barry’s son, CEO David Pidgeon, is a past president of Home Entertainment Source (HES), BrandSource’s onetime tech division, and sits on the board of ProSource, the group’s custom integration affiliate.
Starpower’s sister companies include StarFloors, providers of hard surface and premium flooring, and Star Interior Resources, a home construction and remodeling business.
Barry’s career began at Pidgeon’s Furniture & Appliances of Des Moines, Iowa, which he helmed after graduating from the University of Texas in 1957. He later relocated his family to Dallas, where he helped found Star Companies in 1995.
In addition to his accomplishments in business, Barry served as president of Tifereth Israel Synagogue (Des Moines); Mid-Iowa Council President of Boy Scouts (he earned both the Eagle Scout award and the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award and Silver Beaver service award and was recognized as a Regent for Life of the National Eagle Scout Association); a member of the Governor’s Task Force; President of the Retail Merchants Bureau; President of the Better Business Bureau and Credit Bureau (Des Moines); and was a Chamber of Commerce leader, a Mason and Shriner, and a longtime contributor and member of numerous arts organizations and nonprofits including Jewish Federation of Des Moines and Dallas, Congregation Shearith Israel, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Despite his many endeavors, Barry remained steadfastly dedicated to his family, David recalled. “He taught us everything,” David told YourSourceNews. “He is my hero.”
Barry’s passions, outside his children and grandchildren, included the arts, golf, classic cars and his coin, pen and watch collections.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years Zona; his sons David, Daniel, Steven and Michael and their wives; nine grandchildren; and one great grandchild.
David added that he was deeply touched by the hundreds of friends, family members and business associates who attended his father’s funeral – held in Dallas during last week’s 2019 BrandSource Convention – and by the countless condolence cards, emails and texts he received from around the country.
YSN is published by BrandSource parent company AVB Inc.
