Raymond A. Barber

Raymond A. Barber, age 70 of Gravel Lake in Lawton, died at home under hospice care on June 2, 2023. He was born May 14, 1953, in Portsmouth, Virginia, the son of Raynold and Loretta (Judd) Barber. After his father’s retirement from the U.S. Navy, the family settled in Portage. Ray was a 1972 graduate of Portage Central High School. Attending the 1st Baptist Church of Portage growing up, Ray met Diana Becker. They were married on June 30, 1973. That same year he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. The family was stationed around the world and when he retired in 1993, they settled back in Lawton, Michigan. He attended KVCC for HVAC and was a service technician for Quality Air until his retirement in 2014. Ray loved to talk about heating and cooling and was known as “the furnace whisperer”. He enjoyed motorcycle day trips with Diana. Ray loved his time living at Gravel Lake and cherished his friends on the lake, especially his notorious ski club buddies. He was a true family man and his grandchildren meant everything to him. His family includes his wife, Diana Barber; his children: Julia Padgett, Andrew (Michelle) Barber, and Brian (Samantha) Barber; his grandchildren: Elizabeth, Camille, Henry, Ben, Grayson, Vincent, Rex, Olivier, and Mathias; his sister Peggy Uminn; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may gather with his family on Friday, June 9th, from 5:00-8:00 PM at Adams Funeral Home, 502 West Michigan Avenue, Paw Paw. His funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 10th at 11:00 AM at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 63855 M-40, Lawton, MI 49065 with Pastor Chad Wells officiating. Interment will follow at Chamberlin Cemetery with military honors. Donations in memory of Ray may be made to Elara Hospice.