James Allen Barber

Jim was born in Detroit, Michigan, the only child of Elizabeth Audrey (nee Tossy) and James Robert Barber. For 24 years he, and later his wife and sons, assisted in running their family business in Detroit, Tossy’s Flower House. He obtained a business degree in 1969 from Detroit Institute of Technology and used his accounting skills in several businesses, concluding his work career as executive director of the Detroit Masonic Temple.

Jim was a 60 year passionate member of the Masons. He served as Commander of Detroit Commandery #1, and was a member of the Detroit York Rite College #1. He was honored to receive the Order of the Purple Cross in 2000.

While his sons were young, Jim was the Assistant Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America in South Lyon, Michigan. These formative years in his sons’ lives included weekend troop outings, winter polar bear camp-outs, years of week-long summer camps (including returning to summer camp with his grandsons), and leading two troop trips to Isle Royale National Park which entailed an impressive 50+ miles of wilderness backpacking. Later he would return for a nostalgic return trip to the Park with his future wife Patty.

In his retirement, Jim enjoyed fly fishing, a love of tools, travel, and classic cars, especially his 1929 Ford Model A, which he drove on errands around their Grosse Pointe Farms neighborhood. He adored his grandchildren and was thrilled to surprise them on their visits with ice cream for dinner after a day of fishing from the pontoon boat at the cottage.

Jim’s legacy lives on in his sons, both who embraced his powerful work ethic and knack for problem-solving, as well as his insatiable appetite for puns, Dad jokes, stories, and offbeat humor.

Besides his parents, preceding Jim in death was his first wife and precious mother of his sons, Norma Mae Barber.

Remaining to cherish his memory are his wife of 25 years, Patricia (nee Claycomb), and two sons: Robert Norman Barber (Jackie) of Sparta, MI and David Allen Barber (Margy) of Hixson, TN; six grandchildren: RJ Barber, Daniel John Barber, Christina Hope Barber, Bethany DeLayne Barber, Christen Danae Harper (Brandon), and Grace DeAnne Barber; and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, with a Masonic funeral service to follow at 12 noon.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society (www.gpaas.org) or charity of your choice are welcomed.