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Obituary for WALTER LOUIS BARBER
Walter Louis Barber (Sugarbear, Music Man) was born on December 14, 1951 in Media, PA. He was the fourth born of 8 children to the late Reverend Rufus Robert Barber and Ellen Gordy Barber. Walter grew up in Chester and Media, and graduated from Penncrest High School in Lima, PA in 1970. He participated in Football, Soccer, and he was a Yearbook Photographer. He was a counselor for Young Life, a Christ-centered ministry that helps kids know Jesus, grow in their faith, and serve Him.
Walt joined the Army January 29, 1977. He was awarded many distinguished honors and medals. He loved his country and told everyone that the United States was the best place to live in the world. He spoke about families standing in lines for hours to get 1 pair of shoes for the family – no specific size, or standing in line to get 1 chicken for the family which costs all the money the family made for the week. He served in Vietnam, he studied at the Sorbonne in Paris, became a Gourmet Chef and was the head Chef of a restaurant in Germany, where he created many dishes the villagers had never tasted and loved. His passion was Asian cuisine, which his family enjoyed frequently! He won numerous Chili Cook-off titles along the East Coast.
As an avid, professional photographer, a photograph of his baby brother, Daniel, was displayed in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He made the Philadelphia 76ers but was injured in the first game to never return to the game. After convalescing, he sponsored a teenage Tennis club and later played himself, quite successfully.
He loved retail, he and his staff were the top sellers at Wall to Wall Video and Sound in the Philadelphia area, where he was dubbed ‘Music Man’ because every DJ from the East Coast would call him to ask for the hottest music available, titles of songs and names of artist. He retired as an Area Training Manager in the Philadelphia area for Sprint. As a Licensed Contractor, he oversaw many projects, he was a craftsman who created specialized chairs and tables. He helped renovate the home his children grew up in. Walt was also a Chemist. After marriage and retirement, Walter became the CEO of Natures Soft, a Shea Butter based Body and Hair Care Company where he created and wrote every formulation for natural Skin care products.
Walter had a caring, sensitive soul. He loved to tell stories and make people laugh. He loved family, and most importantly, his children. He was gentle, kind and soft spoken, (until he wasn’t). There wasn’t anything that he wouldn’t do for his children, and even some things they didn’t deserve. He pushed them all to do their best. He was very proud of the young men and young woman they were growing into.
Walter is survived by his wife, Sherri Bullard-Barber, his sons Michael (Brooklynn) and Aaron, and daughter Essahe, Sisters Linda Welsh (Charles), Brenda Barber, Diana Wallace (John), Brothers, Robert, Donald (Valerie) and Daniel, Brother-in-Law, Larry Bullard (Jacqueline) and Sisters-in-Law, Edith Bullard-Britt (Stanford) and Sarah Bullard (Wilfred), aunts, uncles, nieces, nephew and numerous cousins.
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