Ernest Gerald Barbee

Services for Ernest Gerald (Tinker) Barbee, 80, of Canton, TX are scheduled for 3 pm at Lakeside Baptist Church with Dr. Mark Moore officiating, under the direction of Eubank Funeral Home, Canton, TX.

Burial will be in the DFW National Cemetery.

Mr. Barbee passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at his home.

Ernest was born January 18, 1934 in Rule, TX to John Randolph and Maggie Etta Neely Barbee.

Mr. Barbee grew up in Rule, TX and then served in the Air Force. After the Korean War he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from North Texas State. Ernie had a 34 year career with TXU starting in Big Spring and ending in Midland in 1992 when he retired at the age of 59. He and Sylvia then moved to Sylvia’s hometown of Canton.

Mr. Barbee was a member of Lakeside Baptist Church, the Lion’s Club, the Van Zandt Country Club, the Men’s Golf Association, and a three term member of the Canton EDC.

Mr. Barbee is preceded in death by his parents; 3 sisters: Eva, Iona and Geraline; 5 brothers: Truman, Otha, Beraline, J.R. and Densil; and a niece, Deanna Niesporek.

Ernie is survived by his wife, Sylvia Jo Barbee of Canton; 3 sons and their wives: Steve and LuAnn Barbee of Fulshear, TX, John and Paula Barbee of Flower Mound, TX and David and Marcy Barbee of McAlester, OK; 6 grandchildren: Josh, Jessica, Tabor, MaKensie, Hannah and Sarah; 2 Sister-in-laws: Wanda Barbee of San Angelo, TX and LuDell Barbee of Haskell, TX; 15 nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the Texas Lion’s Camp for Children, PO Box 290247, Kerrville, TX 78029 or the Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75701.