Wilmington, DE – John Child Barber, Jr., aged 77, passed away on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.
Born in 1943 in Chicago, IL, John is the son of John Child Barber, Sr., and Margaret Bunting-Barber. Post high school, John served on the USS Yosemite as a corpsman in the Navy for four years. John married his high school sweetheart and loving, compassionate wife of 58 years, Lynda Barber, during his military service. John graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English after his naval career – he leveraged his passion and innate skills in writing to graduate at the top of his class of over 4,000 students.
John began his successful 30+ year pharmaceutical career with the Stuart Division of Atlas Chemical Industries (former name of Zeneca Pharmaceuticals) as a sales representative shortly after graduating. John’s tirelessly strong work ethic and sagacious professionalism allowed him to progress through several commercial roles with increasing responsibilities: he later became the leader and Vice President of Astra Zeneca’s Strategic Planning and Business Development group for their U.S. business, and a member of the global team responsible for the same areas. Once retired, John traveled the country with Lynda (in his words, Lynda and he wanted to “see what this country has to offer besides airports and downtown hotels”) and spent more time with his family.
John was always an endearing, captivating, and loving presence in the lives of his friends and family. He was known for his inquisitive nature, scholarly intelligence, and proficiency and mastery in writing, engrossing himself specifically in Spanish history, language, and culture later in his life; he was known for his sharp-witted sense of humor, always being the uproariously hilarious comedian at every family gathering; he was known for his musical prowess in the guitar and harmonica, where he often serenaded his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren (with backing vocals from his late chihuahua, Papi); he was known as the “pool shark” of the family, never losing a single billiards game to any of his family members. John instilled all his life lessons and knowledge to his children and grandchildren and will be remembered for the kind and selfless teachings he embedded in all his family members.
John is predeceased by his twin daughters, Alison and Melanie Barber, and his sister Nancy Hodges. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Lynda Barber, his daughters Sharon Barber-Huff and Carrie Barber, grandchildren Jackie Marinis, Katie Marinis, Niko Marinis and Lynda (Lynie) Gregg, great grandchildren Johnny Marinis, Evelyn (Evie) Metz, and Brody Joseph Robinson, his siblings Elizabeth Cornelious and Scott Barber, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation.
Condolences