Hi, I’m Barry D. Carrington, a proud retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer and U.S. Postal Service employee. After more than 40 years of service to my country and community, I now live in Chesapeake, Virginia, where I enjoy traveling and spending time with my grandchildren.
I’m originally from Oklahoma City and graduated early from Northwest Classen High School in 1976. At just 17 years old, I joined the U.S. Navy and completed my training in San Diego, California. My first assignment was aboard the USS Barnstable County (LST-1197) in Norfolk, Virginia. Not long after, I went on my first deployment to the North Atlantic. I’ll never forget the excitement—until the rough seas hit and I experienced seasickness! Thankfully, I got over that quickly and went on to enjoy future deployments, including a Mediterranean cruise and even celebrating my 18th birthday in Copenhagen, Denmark.
After a brief time out of active duty, I realized the Navy was where I belonged and returned to continue my career. I served aboard the USS Manitowoc (LST-1180), completing two Mediterranean deployments, much of that time spent off the coast of Lebanon. I later served on the USS Comte de Grasse (DD-974) before becoming an instructor in Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare in Norfolk, where I was promoted to Chief Petty Officer (Operations Specialist). My journey continued with a helicopter mine countermeasures squadron (HM-15) in Alameda, California, followed by service aboard the USNS Kanawha (TAO-196) back in Norfolk, where I was promoted to Senior Chief. I finished my Navy career with Fleet Surveillance Support Command in Chesapeake, Virginia, retiring in December 1996 after 20 years of service. In 1997, I began a new chapter with the U.S. Postal Service, where I worked as a clerk for 23 years before retiring in September 2020.
My wife, Nina, is the love of my life and my soulmate—we’ve been married for 17 wonderful years. Together, we’ve built a beautiful family. My daughter Natasha lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband Branden and my grandchildren Bryson (16), Naylani (5), and Nayomi (18 months). My daughter Jemina lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with my grandson Kaisen (14). My grandchildren mean the world to me, and they are a big part of what keeps me going.
More than 20 years ago, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease after losing my younger brother to the same illness at just 33 years old. Since then, I’ve been under the care of a nephrologist. Today, I’m in stage 5 kidney failure with my eGFR at 11.9, and I am on the brink of starting dialysis. I am prayerfully seeking a living kidney donor. Receiving a transplant from a living donor would greatly improve my quality of life and give me the opportunity to regain my strength and energy, allowing me to continue enjoying meaningful moments with my wife, grandchildren, family, and close friends. I love to travel, listen to jazz, and spend time with my family, friends, and especially my grandkids. God Bless you and thank you!
We need you to help us support Barry. Whether through spreading the word on social media or considering becoming a donor, you can make a profound impact!
Living kidney donation has been proven to be safe. There are no long term consequences to the donor. After recovery, donors can live a normal life with one kidney.
DOVE will assist all prospective donors throughout the process and make sure they do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses related to the evaluation or surgery.
Please click on the link below if you would like to learn more OR call (551) 233-161