Arthur Lee Barber

Arthur “Dick” Barber, 87, passed away on May 7, 2026, at home with family by his side. He was born on May 28, 1938, in Beaver City, Nebraska, to Hiram and Helen (Mann) Barber. In 1941, the family moved to Crete, where Hiram founded Barber Manufacturing.

Dick graduated from Crete High School and served in the Nebraska Air National Guard. In 1967, he married Kathy Bals. Dick continued the work of Barber Manufacturing, where he invented the fold-away step for pickup tailgates and flatbed trailers, remaining active in the business until 2023. He was also a devoted member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the American Legion.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Wilbur; four half-brothers; and his nephew, Wilbur Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy; five sons and their families: Darrell and wife Angie, and their children Tiffani and Cameron, of Morton Grove, Illinois; Jim and wife Shelly of Wilber,Nebraska; Eric and his children Deric, Ariel, Zahria, Taylor, Wyzn, Leona, Natania, Payton, Preston, Landon, and Brynlee, of Omaha, Nebraska; Ryan and wife Reegan, and their children Beckett and Jaxson, of Lubbock, Texas; and Andrew and partner Ashley Remy of Omaha, Nebraska. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on July 24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Crete, Nebraska, Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Omaha National Cemetery, 14250 Schram Rd., Omaha, NE 68138