Bobby Gene Barber

Bobby Gene Barber, 93, of Nixa MO passed into the arms of the Lord on June 9, 2025. Bob’s children and family will miss him greatly. Bob was born on a farm in Nixa and lived in Nixa his entire life, except for 2 years, during his Korean War military service. During his service he received a National Defense Service Medal and attained the rank of Technical Sergeant.

Bob played basketball and baseball in school and was chosen the Nixa Fall Roundup King his senior year, in 1949. Bob married Bertie Mae McDaniel on February 2, 1951.

Bob was an outdoorsman and naturalist. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, boating, gardening, foraging, and traveling. He visited many American National Parks. After his retirement from Reynold’s Manufacturing Company in 1992, Bob and Bertie became very active with the Nixa Senior Citizen’s Center. At one time, Bob served as the Center’s President and held other offices. He also delivered many meals to homebound residents. In 2006, he and Bertie received the Nixa Chamber of Commerce Citizens of the Year Award.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Bertie Mae McDaniel Barber; by his parents Bertie Barber (born 1896) and Lula Meese Barber (born 1897); his brothers Joe Barber (infant) and Allen C. Barber, and Allen’s 2 children Patricia Barber Dzurick and Rickey Lee Barber.

Bob is survived by his 3 children Kathryn Charron, Brenda Barber, son-in-law Steven Cochran, Terry L Barber, daughter-in-law Linda Walter Barber; his 5 grandchildren David Charron, spouse Rachel Anderson Charron, Loren Babits, spouse Benjamin Breed, Hannah Barber, spouse Levi Runyon, Tori McIntosh, spouse Chase McIntosh, and Austin Barber, spouse Bailey Faulconer Barber; his 3 great grandchildren Addison May Charron, Nash Hardy Runyon, Annie Jo Runyon; and his many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm, Monday, June 16, 2025, at Adams Funeral Home, Nixa, Missouri. A committal service will be at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri with full military honors.  

Bob strongly believed that happiness comes from being grateful for what you have.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Springfield Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Bob will live on with Jesus and in our memories.