John Phillip Barbee Jr.

John Phillip "Phil" Barbee, Jr., age 83, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his French Quarter residence in New Orleans, LA on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 5:55 AM, in the care and company of his loving family. Phil was a lifetime resident of the Greater New Orleans Area, and in true New Orleans fashion he loved to enjoy the New Orleans cuisine and atmosphere. His place of passion was the French Quarter, and he'd always say that you couldn't be depressed in the French Quarter because the moment you stepped outside someone was there to make you laugh. On the edge of the French Quarter, Phil liked to go to Harrah's Casino, where everyone affectionately knew him as "Bear" and he loved to play his hand at a game or two of Poker. Phil loved duck hunting, fishing, and boating all over Southeast Louisiana; he always said he'd fished all over the world, but nothing was like fishing in Southeast Louisiana. Phil's work was his life; he was a mechanical engineer entrepreneur, and he developed and sold oil field related businesses. Phil had over two dozen patents, and his friends and family considered him to be a true genius. His specialty was that anyone could bring him a problem and he would solve it. Phil's lifelong motto was, "I dread to be ordinary," and he lived up to that expression as a truly extraordinary person who will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the great fortune of getting to know him. Phil is survived by his beloved wife of 20 years, Rose Aleta Barbee, his former wife, Doris Parker Barbee, his daughter, Jan Barbee, his granddaughter, Savanna Barbee (Trevor Sonnier), his great-granddaughter, Eloise Manny Barbee Sonnier, his step-son, Ed Potter, his step-grandchildren, Eddie Potter (Dallas Potter), Emily Potter Teeple (Dustin Teeple), Nick Potter, and Adam Potter, and his step-great-grandchildren, Patrick Teeple, Emmett Teeple, Elvis Potter, and Ezra Potter. He was preceded in death by his son, John Barbee, III and by his parents, John Phillip Barbee, Sr. and Marcella Mallow Barbee. To honor Phil's wishes, services will be private for family and friends, and will be held in true New Orleans style. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Phil's honor to the Bridge House, https://www.bridgehouse.org/. An online guest book is available at https://www.neptunesociety.com/location/new-orleans-cremation. Arrangements entrusted to Neptune Society of New Orleans, 3801 Williams Blvd., Kenner, LA 70065. 504-464-3095.