Byron L. Barber

Byron L. Barber

February 26, 1946 – November 18, 2021

The family will receive friends on Monday, November 22^nd from 6pm to 7pm followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm, all at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church, 16701 “S” Street.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Tuesday, November 23^rd at 11am at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church. Entombment: Resurrection Mausoleum at 2pm with Military Honors by Benson VFW Post 2503.   Memorials are suggested to: Alzheimer’s Association; Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska; and/or Nebraska Children’s Home Society.

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Byron Lee Barber, 75, beloved father and husband, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2021.

The son of the late Bernard and Hilda (Braasch) Barber, he was born in Omaha, NE on February 26, 1946. A studious and hard-working young man, he spent his early years working on his family’s farm, attending school in Fairbury, NE, loving fast cars, and being just a little bit ornery. After tragically losing his father as a teen, Byron moved off of the farm, graduated high school, and was awarded scholarships to begin degrees in pre-engineering and speech at The University of Nebraska Lincoln. He took leave in 1966 to join the United States Air Force as a bomb navigation systems mechanic during the Vietnam War Era, taking great pride in the work that he did on the B52 Bomber. Following an honorable discharge in 1970, he began the path to a successful, lifelong career in the information technology field. As an IT Executive for numerous insurance and technology companies, the latest computers and tech gadgets were always abundant in the Barber household.

He met Judy, the love of his life, at a Christmas party at their shared apartment complex in Lincoln, NE in 1971. They married in 1973 and created a beautiful, full life raising their four children. Work took the family to Lincoln, Davenport, Omaha, Des Moines, and back to Omaha, where he eventually retired. The years were filled with many choir and band concerts, Pinewood derbies, softball/baseball games, teaching the kids to change the oil and tires on their cars, how to write DOS script, how to make chex mix and grill the perfect pork chop, listening to Huskers games on am radio, and most-importantly modeling how to be a loving and devoted husband and father.

Everyone who knew Byron knew that he was an extremely kind, loving, hard-working, and peaceful person who loved his family very much. His greatest joys were both classic and shiny new cars, bowling, traveling, tinkering with the latest tech gadgets, whistling while working around the house, and spoiling his adoring grandchildren with candy from his shirt pocket and imitations of Donald Duck.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Judith (Hain) Barber; daughter, Sarah Barber McCurdy (Keith) of  Broomfield, CO; son, Christopher Barber (Beth), of Hudson, IA; daughter, Erin Reed (Chad), of Elkhorn, NE; and son, Ryan Barber (Chantel), of Omaha, NE. “Papa Byron” is the cherished grandfather to Grace, Gray, Kathryn, Keegan, Kylie, Etta, and Ryker; and uncle to many adored nieces and nephews.  He will forever be in their hearts and missed very much every day.

Byron lived with Alzheimer’s disease for the last six years of his life. He battled the illness with the most amazing grace, bravery, and strength. His family is grateful for the love, comfort, and care he received as a resident of Country House Residence for Memory Care during the advanced stages of his illness.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska, and/or the Nebraska Children’s Home Society, who lovingly cared for Byron for the first 9 months of his life.

All services will be live streamed at www.heafeyheafey.com for those who wish to attend virtually.