Raymond Edward Barber

Raymond Edward Barber, 82, of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2025.
Ray was born February 23, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated with honors from El Dorado High School in Arkansas and Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where he played numerous sports and participated in at least 32 scholastic and leadership organizations. He was a distinguished military graduate and commissioned as a regular officer in the U.S. Air Force, earning recognition as the number one athlete at Air Force Training Camp.
Exxon hired Ray straight out of LSU and held his position open during his military service. His Air Force career spanned numerous top-secret missile programs and Secretary of Defense "pet projects" from Nebraska to Southeast Asia. He maintained Reserve/National Guard status for 14 years after active duty. Ray later resigned as Sales Supervisor at Exxon to begin his commercial real estate career, initially specializing in large regional shopping malls and opening the largest mall in Macon, Georgia. He became a nationally recognized speaker and instructor in the field, eventually owning his own company and maintaining a property portfolio for over 35 years.
Ray never retired from anything-including life.
Ray loved his friends and family. His friends would describe him as "the oldest teenager around." He loved to have fun and had perfected the art of "never waiting in line" and "never paying full price for anything".
Ray enjoyed music spanning from classical to Led Zeppelin to Garth Brooks and served as President of the Village Concert Association with resounding success. He supported the arts and enjoyed theater. Ray loved to dance and sing, snow skiing, playing dominoes, as well as golfing, boating and floating on lakes and rivers. Being an excellent cook who loved to eat earned one of his many nicknames: "Buffet Ray." Gumbo and bananas foster were among his famous homemade dishes.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin R. Barber and Leona M. Kirkpatrick of Louisiana and Arkansas. He is survived by his daughter Amy Barber; sons Matthew Barber and Raymond Jr.; and grandchildren Garrett, Julian, and Berkeley Barber.
A celebration of Raymond's life begins with a gathering at 10:00 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 6, at Caruth-Village Funeral Home. An honorable military burial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Jones Cemetery in Amity, Arkansas.
Remember these words to live by from Ray: Let The Good Times Roll!
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Ike Murry Memorial Scholarship at UA Little Rock.
Or donate to Hot Springs Village Animal Welfare League.
Online condolences may be left at www.caruth-hale.com.