Gary Stevens Barber, 73, of Columbus, passed away Monday, June 2, 2014 in St. Luke’s Hospital, Columbus, N.C.
Born October 6, 1940 in Cleveland, Ohio, he was the son of the late Theron and Dorothy Belser Barber. In 1948, the family moved to Ft. Lauderdale where he later attended Stranahan High School. He was a graduate of the University of Florida where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity; Gary worked for the Broward Co. Area planning board from 1963 to 1965. Gary received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami, School of Law with honors in 1967. Upon graduation, Gary worked as an attorney and partner at Fleming, O’Brien, and Fleming, P.A. for 30 years during which time he was the General Counsel for the United Way of Broward Co.  He later became General Counsel for the Memorial Health Care System of Hollywood, Fla. until retirement in 2012. Gary retired to Columbus, where he was a member of the First Baptist Church of Landrum, S.C.
Gary was an avid fisherman and spent many wonderful times in the Keys with his dear friend and Boat Captain Roger Martin.
Gary is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Becky Barber of Columbus; as well as four daughters:  Allison (Todd) Payne of Boca Raton, Fla.; Lisa Lurie (Don Forbes) of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; Kathy (Chris) Rhodes of Loxahatchee, Fla.; and Melissa Buckmann of Plantation, Fla. Also surviving are a brother, Kenneth (Leslie) Barber of Plantation, Fla.; a sister, Susan Barber of Miramar, Fla.; and six grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. under the care of Kraeer Funeral Home; 200 N. Federal Hwy. Pompano Beach, Fla., 33062, 954-941-4111.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Landrum, 300 E. Rutherford St. Landrum, S.C. 29356.
An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com
– McFarland Funeral Chapel