A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 26, at Family Funeral Care at 4925 Summer Avenue in Memphis at 10:00 with family and friends visitation at 9:00 A.M. Arrangements are by Family Funeral Care of Memphis.
John Barber was born in Memphis to John Brooks Barber Jr. and Juanita Hickman Barber on January 20, 1935.
He graduated from Messick High School in 1953 and was an all American two-sport athlete in football and track. While a member of the Panther tracks team he set the TSSAA record for the 100-yard dash in 10.2 seconds, a record that remains today. He attended the University of Mississippi from 1953-1955, where he was a member of the Ole Miss football team. He played in the 1955 Sugar Bowl in a 21-0 loss to Navy. He transferred to Memphis State University.
While a senior, he joined the US Army and served his country in Germany from 1956-1958 in the Artillery. (John had a short stint in the Navy in 1950). He also served in the Army Reserves until his discharge in 1962. After his discharge, he entered Southern Law School that was under the auspices of Memphis State, where he earned his Bachelor of Law degree in 1964.
While he worked during the summers in college for Coca Cola Company, most of John’s professional life was spent at Kellogg Company where in 32 years he worked in most departments and retired in 1996 from his last assignment in the tower. He was a member of Ridgeway Baptist Church and had previously been a member at Bellevue Baptist Church where he served the congregation as a bus driver and volunteered in the recreational area.
John is preceded in death by his parents, John Brooks Barber, Jr. and Juanita Hickman Barber, and a brother, Gale Barber of McDonough, GA.
He is survived by his spouse, Carol Cannon Barber of Collierville; his sister, Nancy Wilkison (Tommy) of Springfield, IL.; sister-in-law, Allie Barber of McDonough, GA.; nephews, Ray Wilkison (Paula), Richard Wilkison (Teresa) of Indianapolis, IN., Jerry Barber (Michelle) of McDonough, GA.; and his niece, Janet Barber Duley (Devin) also of McDonough, GA.; and several cousins.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Ridgeway Baptist Church, or a charity of your choice.
