Charles R. Barber

1927 - 2017

Charles R. Barber

CHILLICOTHE: Charles Ray Barber passed away on Tuesday May 9, 2017. Ray was born on July 31, 1927 in Washington, Indiana the son of Charles Peek and Mary Elizabeth Allison Barber. He spent his younger years on the farms of his grandparents with many cousins, aunts and uncles. During those years he spent time hunting, fishing, learning about farming and developed a lifelong passion and love for the land and conservation.

He graduated from Washington High School in 1945 and was dual-enrolled his senior year at Purdue University, but interrupted his studies to enlist in the U.S. Navy in 1945. After one year in the Navy he returned to Purdue and studied civil engineering. Before completing a degree he returned to Washington to begin working. He married Wanda Frances Fitzgerald on February 25, 1951 and later that year accepted an engineering position working on a pipeline project in New England.

In 1953 Ray and Wanda settled in Ross County, Ohio where he had accepted a position with the Atomic Energy Plant in Piketon. Later, Ray worked for Barrett, Cargo, Withers Consulting Engineers until he returned to finish his career at the Atomic Energy plant, retiring in 1989. During those years Ray was active in many local community organizations, taught Sunday School with Wanda at Trinity UMC, served as a Stephen Minister at Trinity UMC, served four separate terms on the Chillicothe Hospital Board and was chairman when the new Adena Medical Center opened in 1974. He was a past member of the Lions Club and a member of The American Legion Post 483.

He and Wanda raised five children together until Wanda passed away in 1980. Ray married Betty McCalla Cory on September 11, 1988. They spent their retirement years enjoying friends and family while traveling around the US, making regular visits to the American Legion in Chillicothe and playing cards with Frankfort, Oh and Bradenton, FL neighbors until Betty passed away in 2005.

Surviving are his children Karen (Steve) Brown, Kingwood, TX; Tim Barber, Los Angeles, CA; Steve (Becky) Barber, Marietta, GA; Kevin (Lissy) Barber, Prescott, AZ and Brian (Trish) Barber, Frankfort, OH as well as his step-children John (Jodi) Cory, Frankfort, OH and Colleen Cory (Kevin) Brennan, Washington Court House; grandchildren Jeff (Grace) Brown, Lauren Brown (Mitchell) Loerch, Blake (Elizabeth) Barber, Jay Barber, Joel Barber, Lindsey Barber, Erin Barber (Dan) Lee, Charles Ryan Barber, John (Breanna) Barber, Dan Barber; step-grandchildren Brian Cory, Casey (Chase) Minor, Cadie Cory, Collin Cory, Reed (Elizabeth) Carey, Adam (Melanie) Carey, Shelly (Urban) Meyer and several great-grandchildren. Ray was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Mary Elizabeth, one sister Betty Joan, his wife Wanda, his wife Betty and his step-daughter Susan Cory Mather.

Funeral services will be at held at 11:00am Saturday, May 20 at Trinity United Methodist Church with Pastor Kurt King officiating. Burial will be Sunday, May 21 at Bethel Cemetery in Washington, Indiana. Friends may call 6 to 8pm Friday at Ware Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be sent to Trinity United Methodist Church in Chillicothe, Ohio.

You may sign his online register at www.warefh.com