When a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him lies on the paths of men.
(Red) Lawrence Eugene Barber was born on Dec. 8, 1950 in Renton, Washington to Hazel Clara Young and Laurel Gordon Barber and passed away on Sept. 18, 2011 at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington.
In the spring on 1954, he moved to Hailey with his mother Hazel, sister Susi and brother Randy where the family lived with her parents, Bruce and Clara Young in a house across from the grade school. Lawrence attended that grade school and Wood River High School. He wrestled and played football at Wood River, was active in the Boy Scouts, and worked for the Sierra Club building trails in the Sawtooths. He chased girls and got into as much trouble as possible. After graduation, he attended CSI where he was Student Body President and BSC where he met and fell in love with Joyce Ohnemus. In 1972, Red and Joyce decided to get married instead of finishing their education. They move to Spokane where Candace Marie was born in 1973. Red, Joyce and Candace moved to the Magic Valley in 1976 where Red began his lifelong career as "THE" Culligan man and helped Rick Horner build the business. Red became well known through his work at Culligan always lending an ear to customers and going the extra mile for them. He became well respected and trusted throughout the Culligan community by making things work better or coming up with new ways to do the work.
In 1979, their son James Bruce was born. Red was very active in his children's lives and was always present at any sports or activities. He coached his daughter's softball team and his son's football and baseball teams. When he wasn't coaching, he was giving advice to unappreciative coaches. He even tried his hand at being a den mother for Candace.
Red was a family man spending most of his time outdoors with his family and relatives, especially his mother, Hazel. He loved to hunt, fish, camp and ride trail bikes always wanting to know what lay around the bend or over the mountain frequently getting lost or stuck. He never had a destination or direction in mind, just picked a road and took it. Red was always amazed at the beauty of this world and captured it in his many stories and photographs. He could often be found on top of a mountain pointing at something and wondering how he could get there.
In 2000, Red and Joyce hopped on a motorcycle and began their journey into the wind. Red joined the IMC and was president from 2005 to 2010. He was very active in this using his big heart to lead the pack in donating to and supporting charities, people and events.
Red was well rounded and big on a smile and open arms. He was active in wood working, writing, bike mechanics and problem solving. He was an inspiring man using his one of a kind personality and big heart to be the best person, friend, husband, father and grandpa. If you weren't part of the line-up he would adopt you or you him. He touched many lives from a chance meeting to lifelong relationships.
Red was preceded in death by his mother Hazel Barber, his father Laurel Barber, Grandpa and Grandma Young, and Grandpa Ohnemus. He is survived by his beloved wife Joyce, son James (Melissa) of Boise, daughter Candace Slagowski of Twin Falls, sisters Susi (Gale) Chipman of Twin Falls and Pat (Gerard) Baker of Nampa, brothers Daryl (Sandy) of Duluth, Georgia and Randy (Tish) of Twin Falls, his Aunt Cora (Ray) Roessler, Aunt-in-Law LaVona Young, Jim's
2 children, Austin, Kambrea and 4 step-children and Candace's 3 children, Quinton, Anika and Rowan. As well as his adopted daughter, Jessica (Chauncey) Brauburger and their children, Machaelea and Colton.
Our lives were forever changed by knowing him and changed again by losing him.
A celebration of Red's life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at Lighthouse Christian Fellowship, 960 Eastland Drive in Twin Falls. Services are under the direction of Reynolds Funeral Chapel, Twin Falls.
If you wish, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be given to Camp Rainbow Gold in remembrance of our beloved Red. Contributions may be given to funeral chapel staff or mailed to Reynolds Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 1142, Twin Falls, ID 83303.
Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.reynoldschapel.com.