Born in Nashville, Tennessee, he was a son of the late Rose (Overton) Ammerman and the late Bud Barbee, Sr. and the step-son of the late Walter H. Ammerman. He grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and was a graduate of McKinley High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Washington University in 1940 and his Masters in 1949.
He joined the United States Air Force in 1941 and retired as Lieutenant Colonel in 1972. During his career he was a pilot and was stationed in Texas, Idaho, Washington, Kansas, Japan, Hawaii, Alabama, Massachusetts, Brazil, New Hampshire, Thailand, and California. In his early career he taught at Maplewood and Ladue High Schools in St. Louis, Missouri. After retirement he and his wife lived in Satellite Beach, Florida before moving to Tiverton ten years ago.
Mr. Barbee was a member of Phi Delta Theta, enjoyed playing tennis and bridge, and was active in local bridge clubs. He wrote an autobiography entitled “Three Wars – but Not a Hero.” He led a full life, loved one woman, and tried to be a good husband and father.
He is survived by two daughters: Barbara Lynne Barbee of Tiverton, Kathryn B. “Kit” Lawrence and her husband E. Swift of Westport; three grandchildren: Felecia Blake, her husband Jon, their sons Christopher, Ryan, and Taylor; Kimberly Roth, her husband Peter, their children Christina and Nicholas; Arthur “Buddy” Hampton, his wife Sally, their sons Tyler and Kyle; and by three step-grandchildren Marcia, Steve, and Jim, their families including eight step-great-grandchildren; and a large extended family. He was brother of the late P. Freeman Hooper.
A Service of Thanksgiving and Tribute will be held Friday, July 15, 2011 at 2:00PM in the United Congregational Church, The Commons, Little Compton, RI. Burial prior to his service in the Massachusetts National Cemetery at Bourne at 11:00AM. Contributions in his honor may be made to Washington University, Campus P.O. Box 1082, 1 Brookings Dr., St. Louis, MO 63130 or to the United Congregational Church, P.O. Box 506, Little Compton, RI 02837.
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