Thomas Hill Barber

Thomas Hill Barber-from Little Fork, Minnesota-passed away at home in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina at 73 on Christmas morning.

Tom was born on October 25th, 1952 to the late William Barber and Shirley Stelton Barber. He was the husband of his beloved late wife of 50 years Martha Longley Barber and the proud father of his children Charisse and Hill.

Tom was a patriotic, progressive American and served his country in the United States Airforce. His successful career in finance took him from Minnesota to Iowa to New York and he collected lifelong friends along the way. Even though he loved working, he eventually retired in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and pursued his other passions: playing golf, listening to music, watching sports, reading the news and history, spending time with friends and family and never missed a chance for an afternoon nap.

It's so hard to encapsulate someone's life in just a few paragraphs, but it's important to know that when you were with Tom, you couldn't help but feel like you were with someone who was truly special: smart as a whip, funny as hell, and kind as can be. He was always the life of the party. As special as he was, he made you feel like you were special, too. He saw a stranger as just a friend he hadn't made yet and wanted to know everything about them because maybe they had something they could teach them or a story he could pass on to someone else. That's why one of his favorite things was just sitting around with folks, sipping a cup of coffee or new cocktail he just made up, and just talking.

While Tom was preceded in death by his father, wife, sister Cathy Cheng and Timothy Barber, left behind to tell Tommy stories and laugh together are his son and daughter, Charisse and Hill, and his other nearest and dearest: brother-in-law Edwin Longley and his wife Amy, sister-in-law Carol Serafin and her husband Tom, and sister-in-law Donna Barber and a plethora of nieces and nephews-each of which he loved dearly. Tom is also survived by his cats he inadvertently started collecting later in life; cats know a good guy when they see one.

A celebration of life will be held in Myrtle Beach at a date and time to be determined. Tom will be buried with his with Martha in Big Falls, Minnesota.

The family would like to send a very special thank you to the Longwood Lakes Community for their support during this time and to his lifelong friends of his and the family in Minnesota, Iowa, and Arizona.

Cheers to Thomas Hill Barber-a life well lived. You will be missed.

A Celebration of Tom's life will be held at Arrowhead Country Club, 1201 Burcale Rd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579 on January 24th at 3:30pm.

To view these details online or to offer words of comfort through the online guest book, visit www.burroughsfh.com.

Burroughs Funeral Home and Cremation Service (843.651.1440) of Murrells Inlet is assisting the family with arrangements.