Marion Barry, former mayor of Washington D.C. passed away at age 78 on Sunday at 1:46 a.m., hours after being released from the hospital, according to The Washington Post.
Barry was seen at Howard University Hospital on Saturday. After his 6:30 p.m. discharge and a little television viewing, his driver took him for a bite to eat and then home, said family spokesperson LaToya Foster, according to The Washington Post. After collapsing while walking into his house, Barry was then transferred to United Medical Center around midnight on Sunday. The hospital spokesperson did not comment on Barry's symptoms, but two anonymous hospital officials told The Washington Post that Barry arrived in cardiac arrest and paramedics could not revive him.
Barry had had some recent health issues, including prostate cancer in the 1990s, a kidney transplant in 2009, diabetes and even a gunshot wound from a City Hall shoot out in 1977, according to The Californian.
Barry served four terms as the mayor of D.C. and served on the D.C. Council as the representative for the city's Ward 8 until his death on Sunday, according to My Fox DC.
"Marion was not just a colleague but also was a friend with whom I shared many fond moments about governing the city," District of Columbia Mayor Vincent C. Gray said, according to My Fox DC. "He loved the District of Columbia and so many Washingtonians loved him." -
"Marion was a political genius, community outreach expert, champion of the over-looked and the left-out while emphasizing the inclusion of everyone," said D.C. Councilmember Anita Bonds, according to My Fox DC. "...I'll remember him for his capacity to turn the cheek, forgive and move forward no matter the adversity. He was a remarkable, powerful, proud leader of people that will be hard to forget."
Barry is also recalled by many as the mayor caught smoking crack with a prostitute in 1990, after serving six months in federal prison, being reelected to city council in 1992 and then being reelected as D.C.'s mayor in 1994, according to My Fox Chicago. His supporters stuck by him and his critics dubbed him, "Mayor for Life," because of their unfaltering support, according to Liberty Voice.
Former D.C. State Board of Education member and Barry's political protégé Trayon White played a voicemail for reporters that Barry had left him at 10:19 p.m. on Saturday:
"Trayon, M.B. I'm leaving the hospital and I'm doing a whole lot better than when I went in. So we'll get together sometime tomorrow. I'm going home now and relax, watch television, et cetera. All right."
The family released a statement sent on Sunday at 2:18 a.m. by a family spokesperson, according to The Washington Post:
"It is with deep regret that the family of former four-time D.C. mayor, and Ward 8 city councilman, Marion S. Barry, Jr., announces that he has passed.
"Mr. Barry transitioned at approximately 12 midnight on Nov. 23, 2014, at the United Medical Center, after having been released from Howard University Hospital on Sat., Nov. 22, 2014.
"Mr. Barry released his autobiography 'Mayor For Life, the Incredible Story of Marion Barry, Jr.' in June 2014.
"He will appear on OPRAH today at 9:00 p.m. EST to discuss his book, and 40 year political and civil rights career.
"He leaves behind his wife, Mrs. Cora Masters Barry and his only child, son Marion Christopher Barry.
"We ask that you please respect the family's privacy at this time.
"Further details will be forthcoming."
The show was aired on Sunday as planned and the turkey giveaway that was planned for Tuesday, Nov. 25 at the Union Temple Baptist Church is still on.
