Jeffrey Allen Barber, 51, passed away Monday, February 13, 2023 at Cleveland Clinic in Weston, FL.  Jeff succumbed to a brief physical illness, which only became evident during a stay at an alcohol rehabilitation facility beginning on December 23, 2022 in West Palm Beach, FL.  Jeff was diagnosed with severe PTSD, depression and anxiety while at the rehab facility.  He was actually loving the process of his path to mental wellness, and looking forward to a sober life.  He fought the good fight to combat liver cirrhosis, but was ultimately too sick to receive a necessary liver transplant.  He passed quickly and peacefully when hospice was called in.  Per Jeff, he would want everyone to know the details, so that he could potentially help someone else that is struggling with the same, or similar, issues. As Jeff would always say, “I’ve got your six” and this is his way of fulfilling that.

Jeff was born on September 26, 1971 in Saginaw, MI to Richard Thomas Barber and Janet Arlene (Burk) Barber.  He graduated from Merrill High School in 1989 and went directly into the US Army in July of the same year.  Jeff was a telecom specialist, and was deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in combat during Desert Storm for a year in 1990-1991.  He was honorably discharged after completing his military contract in 1993 as an E4.  While in the military he made life-long friendships that remained as such through his lifetime (BROS).  During his service,  Jeff met the love of his life, Sheri, and got married within two months of meeting her on September 27, 1991, the day after he turned 20 (so that he wouldn’t be a teenage groom!) Their son, Joshua, was born on December 22, 1992.  They moved back to Jeff’s home of Michigan and settled in Holland for the next seven years beginning in 1993.  Their daughter, Audra, was born on April 19, 1994.  He worked as a production line worker and forklift driver at ODL in Zeeland, MI.  In 2000, Jeff decided it was time to get back into telecom and took a technical engineer position at Sprint/T-Mobile, moving his family to Gardner, KS.  Jeff remained with Sprint/T-Mobile until August 2, 2022 when he retired at the top of his field.

In between raising, coaching, and teaching his two children, taking ballroom dance lessons with Sheri, and watching the Detroit Red Wings, whatever time Jeff had to spare went to The American Legion, Leroy Hill Post 19, 2nd District and Department of Kansas. Jeff became a member of The American Legion in Holland, MI in 1994. After moving to Gardner, KS, he became active at the Post level, holding many positions to include Finance Officer for 15+ years until his passing.  He was also Honor Guard leader for many fallen veterans in the Gardner area, surrounding areas, and in multiple states.  Jeff served the Kansas American Legion 2nd District as Executive Committeeman, Vice-Commander, Commander, and also served as Chairman for several District Committees. In addition, he served on various Department of KS Committees, and was an instructor at the Kansas American Legion Leadership College in the area of Finance. Jeff led from the front, leading by example, and was always willing to go the extra mile to help out his Legion family.  In recent years, Jeff was very much looking forward to being the same kind of grandfather (Pop-Pop) that he had while growing up, to his three grandsons.   Jeff will be dearly missed by ALL that knew him.

Jeff was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ken and Elaine Barber and Ken and Arlene Burk, two uncles and a nephew.  He is survived by his parents, brother Michael (Renee) Barber, Saginaw, MI, and sister Shellene (Mike) Hattersley, Beverly Hills, FL.  Wife of 31 years, Sheri (Branen) Barber, Gardner, KS.  Children: Joshua Michael (Ashley) Barber, Olathe, KS,  and Audra Ann (Ellen) Buchanan, Jacksonville, FL.  Grandchildren:  Brayden Kane Barber, Kodi Jeffrey Buchanan, and  Brooks Daniel Barber.  Many, many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters and brothers in law, nephews and nieces, brothers/sisters in arms, and friends.

Graveside Service with Military Honors will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 16, 2023 at Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Road, Leavenworth, Kansas. A Celebration of Life will follow 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the American Legion Post 19 in Gardner, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, please sign up for organ donation and/or donate to your local American Legion Post or VFW Post (your money will do the most good by donating at the local level), or donate to any organization that provides mental health outreach. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com. Arrangements: Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S. Center, Gardner, Kansas (913) 856-7111