Obituary for Sam Barber

Ponca City Now - November 30, 2018 4:24 pm

Sam Matthew Barber

June 29, 1923 – November 30, 2018

Samuel Matthew Barber of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died early Friday morning, November 30, 2018, in the Tuality Community Hospital in Hillsboro, Oregon, at the age of 95 years.

Samuel Matthew Barber was born on June 29, 1923, in rural South Haven, Kansas, to Elmer Matthew and Mildred Jane (Cathy) Barber. He attended Blackwell High School and graduated with the class of 1941. He furthered his education by attending Northern Oklahoma Junior College in Tonkawa. In 1943 he was drafted into the United States Army Air Corp where he attended bombardier school in Syracuse, New York. While there he married Peggy Collins on December 3, 1943. During World War II he flew eighteen missions over Germany as a bombardier on B-24’s and attained the rank of Second Lieutenant.

Following the war, he returned to Blackwell and continued in the family trucking operation with his father, which began as an early teenager. His wife preceded him in death on April 20, 2002, and he continued in the trucking business until he married Shirley Osborne on December 27, 2003, in Forest Grove, Oregon, and they lived in Hillsboro, Oregon. He was a member of the First Christian Church and served in many offices including church elder. He put in many hour on the road but was always home to attend church with his family on Sundays. He life passion was trucking and farming.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Barber of Hillsboro, Oregon; two daughters, Sue Hawkins and husband Chuck of Norman and Jo Jordan and husband Paul of Blackwell; a sister, Rozella Clements of Derby, Kansas; step-daughters, Jennifer Barkley and husband Rod of Hillsboro, Oregon, and Lynda Wimbush and husband Steve of Seattle, Washington; six grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; thirteen step-great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Sammie Reid; and a brother, Bill Barber.

Services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 6th in the First Christian Church in Blackwell with Rev. Jeff Koch officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery. Military rites will be performed by the United States Air Force.

Casketbearers will be Clay Hawkins, Coy Hawkins, Matt Shields, Bryce Eckerd, Dayne Eckerd, Wyatt Eckerd, Layne Turner, Carson Turner and B. J. Davis. The Harmony Sunday School Class with serve as honorary casketbearers.

A memorial has been established in his honor with Alzheimer’s Association in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.