Gary Barber

Gary Bryant Barber, 73, of Macclenny, Florida, passed away on December 12, 2024.

 Mr. Barber was born in Jacksonville, Florida on December 21, 1950 to Joe Bryant Barber and Evelyn Thrift Barber. The Barbers were an early pioneer family in the county and Gary valued this connection deeply. 

Gary married his high school sweetheart and wife of 55 years Kathleen Davis Barber on September 19, 1969. They built their home together on Mudlake Road where they raised their two children and their four granddaughters. Gary was an active member at Grace Fellowship Church and he was also an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting and was an especially keen fisherman.

Gary graduated from Baker County High School in 1968. After working as Baker County’s deputy property appraiser under Josie Davis, Gary was elected as property appraiser in 1984 and held the position for twenty years until his retirement in 2004. 

Mr. Barber is survived by his wife Kathy Barber, his daughter Tracy (Sheldon) Archambault and his son Todd (Jennifer) Barber; his granddaughters Julia and Harper Archambault and Grace and Kate Barber; and his sister Melissa (Steve) Adams. Gary was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Mr. Barber’s memory to Village Mission or First Coast Women’s Services.

A funeral service to honor Mr. Barber’s life will be held on Tuesday, December 17th at 11am. The family will receive friends for a visitation on Monday, December 16th from 5:00 - 7:00pm. Both services will be held at Grace Fellowship Church (595 S. 6th St.) in Macclenny, FL. Pastors Nathaniel Simmons, Joel Griffis, John Raulerson, and J.D. Milton will be officiating. He will be laid to rest at South Prong Cemetery in Sanderson immediately following the service.

Mr. Barber’s arrangements are under the care of Garrett Milton, L.F.D. and Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler, FL. 386-496-3008. www.archerfuneralhome.com.