David Earl “Dave” Barber, 59, of Hays, Kansas, passed away in Trego County, Kansas on December 8, 2023.
He was born in Phillipsburg, Kansas to Earl and Charlene “Char” (Dewbre) Barber. He graduated from Trego Community High School in 1983 and continued on at Fort Hays State University graduating in 1987 with a degree in agribusiness/economics. There, he met his wife, Annette G. Jarnagin and they were wed on November 23, 1988 at the First Baptist Church in Protection, Kansas. They have been married a beautiful 35 years and were blessed with the arrival of their son Brooks David Barber in 1997.
For much of his life, Dave worked for the United States Department of Agriculture in Rural Development. Throughout his career, he had a profound impact on numerous communities and was instrumental in countless projects following the Greensburg tornado, as well as various hospital and water projects. David was passionate about supporting others and spent many years announcing sports for TMP as well as high schools across Northwest Kansas. Dave enjoyed fishing, golfing, watching football - especially the Kansas City Chiefs - writing poems about family, and spending time with his family. He had a strong faith and was a worship leader at North Oak Community Church and a member of the 4Given Quartet.
He is survived by his wife: Annette of Hays; son Brooks Barber of Denver, CO; father Earl Barber of Hays; mother-in-law Karen Jarnagin of Protection; his brothers’ families: Mark Barber (Bernice) of Lawrence, KS and nephew Ryan; and James Barber of Springfield, MO and nephews Blake and Brady; his wife’s siblings’ families: Tina Brawner of Garden City, KS and niece Candace; Kris and Trish Jarnagin of Lincoln, NE and nephews Cameron and Jameson and nieces Shelby, Maggie, and Olivia; Gwen and Robert Beeley of Lawrence, KS and nieces Sydni and Madison.
He was preceded in death by his mother Char Barber, sister-in-law Trudy Barber, and father-in-law Gary Jarnagin.
He will be missed by all.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at North Oak Community Church in Hays, with Pastor Josh Gelatt officiating, followed by a lunch for the family. Burial will be at 2:30 pm in Protection Cemetery in Protection. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 am until service time on Wednesday at the church. Memorials are suggested and made payable to North Oak Community Church for the music/worship team or to The Healing NET Foundation which increases awareness of and funding for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET). David’s sister-in-law, Tina Brawner, lives with pNET and he was extremely supportive of her journey. Condolences and memories of Dave may be left for his family at www.haysmemorial.com