JOHN ROBERT BARBER

1927-2017

John Robert Barber was born April 3, 1927 in Rockport, Texas to James Addison Barber and Muriel Hase Barber. John grew up in Estes, near Rockport, where his great grandparents Addison and Joyce Barber had been among the first settlers. John’s first job was at the Rockport Depot telegraph office, and he liked to recall that he had to have a social security number for that job, and that the number issued to him was unique to the railroad system. John also worked as a surveyor around the area that became the Key Allegro development, and served as a guide at various hunting and fishing clubs in the Rockport area.

John served his country from 1944 to 1948, first in the Merchant Marine, and then the Army. While in the Merchant Marine, John travelled to various ports across the globe and was stationed at Okinawa at the end of WW II. After the Merchant Marine, John joined the Army in 1947 where he served in the engineering corps, including a year in Korea.

After serving his country John enrolled at Texas A&I University and earned a degree in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering in 1954 before embarking on a career with Marathon Oil Company. John married the love of his life, Loretta, in 1953 and they shared a joyous 58 years together until her passing in 2012. John and Loretta had two children, Sara Helen and John Robert, Jr.

John and Loretta enjoyed life together for many years in Houston after John’s retirement, including many special times with their grandsons, Royce and Robert. John enjoyed golf tremendously, and he was a member of Pine Forest Country Club in Houston where he cherished the opportunities to play with his friends and entertain family. John’s greatest pleasures in life involved time spent with his family, expressing his love, kindness and generosity. John is survived by his son John R. Barber, Jr. and wife Sharon, grandsons Royce and Robert, his brother Leon, and his nephews Charles Crook (Phyllis) and Mike (Linda) and Robert Barber.

Funeral service Tuesday, November 14, 2017, Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX, 77079. Visitation 9 AM to 10 AM, Funeral service 10 AM to 11 AM, followed by graveside service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hands of Love Caregiving Services, Dorthea Johnigan, 1612 Buena Vista Dr., Tyler, Texas 75701, dorthea40johnigan@gmail.com.