Paul Taggert Barber Sr.

Paul was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on July 28, 1938 and passed away at home in Baton Rouge at the age of 85 on May 23, 2024, surrounded by his family. Paul grew up in Baton Rouge and attended St. Agnes Catholic School and Catholic High School. Paul graduated from Catholic High School in 1956, where he achieved academic honors, ran track, and made lifelong friends. He graduated from Georgia Tech University in 1960 with a civil engineering degree. Paul was on the dean’s list at Georgia Tech every semester, and he was a member of Tau Beta Phi (for scholastic achievement), Chi Epsilon (national civil engineering honorary fraternity), Scabbard and Blade (honorary military society), and Kappa Alpha fraternity.

Following graduation from Georgia Tech, Paul married his sweetheart, Judith Rome, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He was then assigned to Fort Belvoir, necessitating Paul and Judy’s move to Alexandria, Virginia. Paul was later honorably discharged from the Army in 1961; however, their civilian life was interrupted 6 months later when he was recalled into active service during the Berlin Crisis, requiring Paul and Judy to move to Texas for his next assignment at Fort Hood. During his time in the Army, Paul served as a commander of a tank battalion and a JAG officer but curiously never as an engineer.

He had a lifelong career at Barber Brothers Contracting, LLC, where he retired as vice-president. He was a past president and board member of the Louisiana Asphalt and Pavement Association and a past board member of Associated General Contractors. Paul was a past board member of The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council, The Baton Rouge Detox Center, O’Brien House, and Joseph Home, which provides housing for newly released prisoners. Paul was the founder of Serenity House, Inc., which was a halfway house for men recovering from addiction to alcohol and drugs. He was a member of Serra Club, a Catholic organization which provides vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Paul was a past member of Legatus, an international organization of Catholic business leaders committed to studying, living, and spreading the faith. He served as a eucharistic minister at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center from 2001-2016. Paul was a member of the Baton Rouge Country Club since 1965. He was an outdoorsman who loved scuba diving, sailing, and boating. He was an instrument rated pilot for both land and sea planes; additionally, he had his helicopter rating, and he enjoyed landing his helicopter in his backyard.

Paul was survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Judith; his son Paul Barber, Jr., (Paul Jr.’s sons - Michael, Robbie and Landon Barber); his daughter Madalyn Moore (her husband Barry, and their sons and daughter in law, Dr. Matthew Moore and William and Madison Moore); his son Patrick Barber (wife Heather and their daughters Grayson Riggins and Brenan, Isabelle, and Annabel Barber); his brother Lionel Hilliard Barber and his wife, Nancy, and their family; his sister in law Marianna Barber and her family; and numerous extended family members.

Paul was predeceased by his parents, Aubrey Lee Barber, Sr. and Anna Laurie Guillory Barber; two infant children, Stephen Michael and Anna Michelle; and his brother, Aubrey Lee Barber, Jr. Paul was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. He was a Good Samaritan and a friend to many.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 31, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 p.m. celebrated by Father Randy Cuevas and assisted by Father Gregory Daigle. Private burial to follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Michael Barber, Robbie Barber, Landon Barber, Matthew Moore, William Moore, and Lee Barber. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.