Harry William Barber

Harry died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on December 30, 2015 at the age of 86. He was born in Memphis, TN on July 20, 1929, was raised in Biloxi, MS then moved to Baton Rouge. He graduated from Baton Rouge High School in 1947, and attended LSU. He transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi as a member of Kappa Alpha Order to take part in the chapter implementation and graduated in 1951. He was drafted to the U.S. Army after college, and while serving, he married the love of his life, Shirley Humphreys, on January 18, 1953. Upon his discharge from the service, they moved back to Baton Rouge where he began his career with Barber Brothers Contracting Co., LLC. Harry was an avid outdoorsman and his retirement years were spent hunting and fishing in South and Central America. He and Shirley enjoyed their second home in Gulf Shores, AL, "Out-O-Pocket", where they made many lifelong friends and had unforgettable times. Harry was preceded in death by his parents, Harry William Barber, Sr. and Augusta Taylor Barber, his wife of 56 years, Shirley, and his son, David Dixon Barber. He is survived by his children: Harry William (Bill) Barber, III and wife Kim, Niel Humphreys Barber, and daughter Elizabeth (Liz) Barber Spreen and husband Ernie. Harry was blessed with 14 loving grandchildren: Melissa and husband Kevin, Sarah and husband Nick, Stephen and wife Rebecca, Andrew and wife Erica, Will, Judah, Canaan, Josiah, Victoria, Margaret, Rachel, Sofie, Ernie IV, and Michael. He also had 7 great grandchildren: Mary Caroline, Eliza, Dylan, Mason, James, Eric, and newly born Emma. Harry loved people, especially his family, and he never met a stranger. He loved sharing his "stories" to any willing ear. Harry's interests included his memberships in the Civil War Round Table, The Company of Military Historians and The National World War II Museum. Harry was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend and will be missed dearly by all those who knew him. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Baton Rouge High School Foundation, The National WWII Museum or The Hospice of Baton Rouge. The family would like to thank Dr. Gerald Barber and the entire staff of Comfort Keepers and The Hospice of Baton Rouge. Also special thanks to his caregivers: Jill Rehn, RN, Michelle Roach, Eddie Porche, and Cheryl Nickens. Their kindness to Harry will never be forgotten. Services will be held on January 4th at Rabenhorst Funeral Home located at 825 Government St. Visitation will be from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Service will be in the Chapel at 1:00pm with the burial following at Roselawn Memorial Park.