Harold A. Barber, Sr.

Harold A. Barber, Sr., 100, of Baytown was born January 10, 1914 in Barbers Hill and passed away Saturday, January 25, 2014 in a local healthcare facility. Harold was the great grandson of Amos and Susan Barber, who settled Barbers Hill in 1849. His mother died when he was 4 years old. In 1925, he moved with is father to Houston, where he attended high school. He also met the love of his life, Evelyn, who he married in 1938. He was an avid golfer and caddied for several area golf courses. In 1944, he moved his family to Baytown, where he went to work for Humble Oil Refinery for 30 years and then Exxon Refinery for 9 months before retiring. After retiring, he drove a delivery truck for Matherne's Office Supply 2 days a week and played golf with the ""Over the Hill Gang"" the other days of the week. He and his wife volunteered at St. James House of Baytown where on Friday afternoons, he tended bar for their ""Happy Hour"". He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and the Exxon Annuitants. In 1999, they moved to the Alexander Hall at St. James House to live. He was the last one of the Barbers Hill settlers namesake. He always said that even though they changed the name to Mont Belvieu, the community will always carry on his family legacy because they kept the school district name Barbers Hill School District.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Evelyn Henson Barber; daughter-in-law, Judy Tate Barber; parents, A. E. and Jane Barber; brothers, Glenn Barber and Israel Barber; and half brother, Leon Barber. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Betty and Ronnie Callaway and son and daughter-in-law, Harold ""Buddy"", Jr. and Annette Barber, all of Baytown; grandchildren and spouses, Missy Herrera, Pat ""Mister"", Jr. and Debbie Murphy, Michele and Brian Dare, and Tate and Kathryn Barber; step grandchildren and spouses, Ronnie Keith, Jr. and Angie Callaway, Danielle Callaway, Karen Hill and Michael Vasquez, and Keith Hill; great grandchildren, Ryan Murphy, Tori Herrera, Candace Herrera, Jesse Murphy, Tyler Dare, Trevor Dare, Callam Barber, Constance Barber, Jennifer Judith Dare, and Charles Harold Barber; and his first great great grandson, who is due in May.

His family will receive friends at Navarre Funeral Home Wednesday, January 29, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Pruett Campus of Cedar Bayou Grace United Methodist Church, 304 N. Pruett St., Baytown, TX 77520 with Rev. John Newsome officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Tate Barber, Pat Murphy, Jr., Ryan Murphy, Jesse Murphy, Tyler Dare, Trevor Dare, Callam Barber, and Brian Dare. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Harold Barber, Tommy Yates, George Yates, Jerry Harlan, Paul Edwards, David Barber, Pat Orchin, R. W. ""Foxy"" Matherne, and Happy Baumann.

His family would like to say a special ""thank you"" to his caretakers Joycelyn Henry, Philomene Wade, and Muriel Chery and his nurse, Carla Ware and the rest of the staff of Faith Community Hospice for their loving care.

In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions may be made to the Cedar Bayou Grace United Methodist Church Building Fund, 2714 Ferry Rd., Baytown, TX 77520, St. James House of Baytown, 5800 W. Baker Rd., Baytown, TX 77520, or the charity of one's choice.

To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.