Michael B. Barber

MICHAEL BRANDON BARBER, age 34, of Richmond, TX, lost his brave and courageous fight against brain cancer, on Monday, December 28, 2009. He was born April 22, 1975, in Chicago Heights, IL, to Steven and Sandra Breitengross Barber. Michael went to elementary school in Indian Mills, NJ, and high school in Highland, IL, where he graduated in 1993. He attended Millikin University for one year, and received a B.S. Degree in Recreation Administration with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation, from Southwest Texas State in 1998. Michael received his Master’s Degree in counseling from Texas A&M – Corpus Christi in 2007. Michael’s professional career took him to a variety of health care settings. He worked summers at the Elks Camp for Physically Challenged children in Gonzales, Texas. After obtaining his B.S. Degree, he worked in Long Term Care in Pennsylvania. Upon returning to Texas, he went to work at Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, where he worked in pediatric oncology. After Driscoll Children’s Hospital, he went to work for Christus Spohn Hospital-Shoreline in the Rehabilitation Unit. Michael was instrumental in working with patients in the community Re-Integration Program. From Christus Spohn Hospital-Shoreline, he transferred to Christus Spohn-Memorial, working in the Psychiatric Program that served children to Geriatrics. At the hospital in addition to his duties as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, he was picked to become certified as an instructor, teaching employees on how to manage patients with aggressive behavior who were admitted to the Psychiatric Program. Michael was a certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). He was well respected in his field for his passion, creativity for programming, and his leadership qualities. He served as Secretary/Treasurer for the Therapeutic Recreation Branch of the Texas Recreation and Park Society. While Michael was at Christus Spohn-Shoreline Hospital, he entered the Master’s programming in counseling at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. He completed his Master’s Degree, becoming a member of Chi Sigma Lota (Theta Alpha Mu Chapter). Michael graduated with honors; Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 grade point average; and was accumulating his hours for final certification. Though his professional life was important to Michael, his love of family was more important. Michael would tell his friends of the trips his family would take together, the wrestling and other outdoor activities he shared with his brothers, and the family’s love of electronic gadgets. When Michael came to Corpus Christi, he found the love of his life with April Acuna of Corpus Christi. In 2009, he and April became engaged. Michael loved and cherished his time with April and her son, Adrian. Michael, April, and Adrian would take numerous trips to San Antonio, enjoying the culture and especially the River Walk. He and April especially shared their love of music and enjoyed concerts together. He is survived by his parents, Steven and Sandra Barber; fiancé, April Acuna, and her son, Adrian; brothers, Matthew Barber and his wife Jill, and Jeffrey Barber and his wife Christina; nieces, Brianna and Brooke Barber; and many other loving relatives and friends. Visitation: Thursday, January 7, 2010, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, The Settegast-Kopf Co. @ Sugar Creek, 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, January 8, 2010, 2:00 PM, St. Laurence Catholic Church, 3100 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land, Rev. Drew Wood, Celebrant. In lieu of flowers, donations in Michael’s memory may be made to the Texas Recreation Parks Society, P.O. Box 5188, Jonestown, Texas 78645 in c/o the Michael Barber Fund for the establishment of a scholarship in his name, or to the Musella Organization, for brain tumor research and support. Michael will be missed for his passion for life; putting others first; unconditional love; and friendship!