February 23, 1943 - July 29, 2025
Raymond Edward Barber, 82, of Hot Springs Village, Ark., passed away peacefully on July 29, 2025. Born February 23, 1943, in Detroit, Mich., Ray was a standout at El Dorado High School and LSU, where he excelled in sports and joined 32-plus organizations. He was commissioned as a U.S. Air Force officer and named top athlete at training camp.
Exxon hired Ray straight from college and held his job during military service. His Air Force career involved top-secret missile programs across Nebraska to Southeast Asia, followed by 14 years in Reserve/National Guard. Ray left his Exxon supervisor role for commercial real estate, specializing in regional malls and opening Macon, Georgia's largest. He became a nationally recognized speaker, owned his own company, and maintained a property portfolio for 35-plus years.
Ray never retired from anything—including life. Friends called him "the oldest teenager around." Ray loved music from classical to Led Zeppelin to Garth Brooks, served as successful President of the Village Concert Association, and supported theater and arts. He loved dancing, singing, skiing, dominoes, golf, boating, and floating rivers. Ray was preceded in death by parents, Marvin R. Barber and Leona M. Kirkpatrick. He's survived by daughter, Amy Barber; sons, Matthew and Raymond Jr.; and grandchildren, Garrett, Julian, and Berkeley.
Celebration of life: Gathering 10 a.m., service 11 a.m., Saturday, September 6, at Caruth-Village Funeral Home. Military burial 3 p.m. at Jones Cemetery, Amity, Ark.
Ray's words to live by: "Let The Good Times Roll!" Donations suggested to Ike Murry Memorial Scholarship (UA Little Rock) or Hot Springs Village Animal Welfare League. Condolences: www.caruth-hale.com.
This is a heartbreak for all of us who knew him. He was friendly to everyone. I can hear him saying Cowabunga to make us laugh. |