Coleman H. Barber

Mr. Barber graduated from Lockhart High School in 1939. He entered radio technical training with the National Youth Administration in 1940 and earned his Amateur Radio Operator's license. In May, 1941, he enrolled in the U.S. Maritime Service Resident Radio Training School near Boston, Massachusetts, for training as a maritime radio telegrapher, graduating in March 1942.

During World War II, Mr. Barber served as a Chief Radio Operator in the U.S. Merchant Marine, receiving theater awards for the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean-Indian Ocean regions.

After the war, he earned an FCC Radiotelephone First Class Certificate and began his career in commercial broadcasting. This career spanned 26 years, first as a control room operator, then studio supervisor, and the last 15 as Chief Engineer for KTSA/KTFM in San Antonio.

Mr. Barber's government service began in November 1973 when he joined the U.S. Army Health Sciences Media Division at Fort Sam Houston. In June 1985, he joined Air Force Broadcasting Service at Kelly AFB as Deputy Chief of Engineering Branch. He was promoted to Chief of the branch and ultimately to Deputy for Logistics and Engineering.

After retiring in January, 1996, Mr. Barber was honored with the Tom Lewis Award, a Department of Defense level award for lasting contribution to professional excellence in military broadcasting; and the Terrance Mayer Award, a U.S. Air Force level award and selected from only four nationwide nominees. Mr. Barber was the first civilian to receive these awards, and the only person to receive both in the same year.

After retirement, Coleman enjoyed his hobbies of watch and clock repair, "puttering" in his recording studio, reading, flying private airplanes, and meeting with "old buddies" every Friday morning at Earl Abel's for coffee and conversation. Coleman spent the last few years writing his memoirs of World War II. He was also an active member of the Stone Oak Cumberland Presbyterian Church and spent much time in the planning and building of the new sanctuary. He participated as an usher, greeter, and was also ordained as an elder in the church.

Mr. Barber will be greatly missed by of his family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Mabel Barber; his siblings, Inez Farmer, Jerry Barber and Don Barber; and his granddaughter, Michelle Hilbig. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Adelle; and his three daughters, Pat Holmes and husband Jimmy, Cheryl Reynolds and fiancé Jimmy Tubbs, and Joyce Howison and husband Jim. He is also survived by six grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Stone Oak Cumberland Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 20024 Crescent Oaks, San Antonio, TX 78258, in Mr. Barber's name.