Barney was born in the family residence in Waikiki, at the corner of Kalakaua Avenue and McCully Street. He was the second of five children, born to Taichi and Tamiyo Sato.

With brothers Robert and Larry, Barney worked loyally to continue the family retail business. Beginning as a hat-cleaning shop by patriarch Taichi Sato in 1913, Sato Clothiers Ltd was a major men's retail store in Hawaii for 82 years. In 1959, Sato Clothiers, Ltd. was one of the original tenants of Ala Moana Shopping Center.

Barney was a graduate of McKinley High School, Class of 1938. He was an exceptional multi-sport athlete in track, basketball, and baseball. He contributed to McKinley's famous 1938 full-sweep of the Interscholastic Championships. He was highly regarded throughout the Islands as a top high school athlete. Early on, he was offered scholarships to private schools, including Punahou School, but chose to make the McKinley Black 'n Gold his alma mater.

After graduation he attended Honolulu Business College and Kansai Gakuen in Japan until the outbreak of World War II. He served in the army with the 1399th Engineer Battalion stationed at Schofield Barracks. During his service, he was a member of several championship teams in basketball, baseball, and boxing.

On February 10, 1946, Barney married Jane Eiko Takasaki. They resided in Puunui, Oahu and later moved to Manoa Valley with three children and the Takasaki grandparents.

Traveling was a great interest of Barney and Jane. They visited many countries within North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Predictably, his favorite trips involved watching professional baseball teams at their home field or playing at legendary golf courses.

Thought of as "the best left-handed batter in the league," Barney played with the McCully Team on the Japanese Baseball League, the Aala Park Softball Team, and the Hawaii Senior AJA Baseball League. Later he continued his love of sports and began his long quest to achieve the under-par golf score. He was a member of the Clipper Golf Club and a Charter member of Mid-Pacific Country Club. Barney and Jane took many trips to famous golf courses around the world. He was most pleased that he played golf at the famous Pebble Beach and the St. Andrews course in Scotland where golf began.

Barney felt strongly about loyal friendship, responsible citizenship, and giving back to the community, an integral part of the Sato family upbringing. He was generous with his time and resources to his family and friends. He greeted everyone he met with aloha.

For 60 years, Barney was proud to call himself a Lions Club member. He was an active and eager participant in Lions service activities and elected President of Kalia Lions from 1959-60. He was the Charter President of the Ala Moana Lions , serving from 1965-67. He participated in many international trips supporting goodwill among Lions Clubs throughout the world. During his active years, Barney exemplified the Lions motto of "We Serve," the ideals of the International Association of Lions Clubs, and was honored with the International President's Certificate of Appreciation.

His greatest pride was saved for his children and grandchildren, the service accomplishments of his Lions Clubs, and the back-to-back hole-in-one that he achieved with golf-buddy Charlie Shigemura.

Barney is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jane Eiko; two sons, Daryl and Myron Sato, daughters-in-law Amy (Sims) and Sharlyn (Lau); daughter Linda Sato-Juras, son-in-law Frederic (Juras); two brothers, Robert and Larry Sato; two sisters, Alyce Takami and Harriet Masunaga; five grandchildren, Mele, Kimi, Mari, Keola, and Kari; and one great-grandchild, Corey.