- Date Of Birth: August 17, 1929
- Date Of Death: January 30, 2016
- State: Idaho
Karl Francis Barber passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 30, 2016, after a short illness at the age of 86.
Karl was born in Moreland, Idaho, on August 17, 1929, to Marie and Emil Barber. His youth was spent in Moreland and Rexburg. He resided in Idaho Falls for the majority of his life. Karl married Maxine Hillman in Rexburg, Idaho, on September 7, 1948. They had two children, Jill and Jeff.
Karl served in the Idaho National Guard. He went on active duty through the National Guard and was deployed to Austria as part of the peace-keeping initiative during the Korean Conflict. When he returned home from overseas, he and Maxine moved to Idaho Falls.
Karl began his career at Idaho Steel Products as a sheet metal worker. He was the shop superintendent when he retired in 1992, due to health reasons after 37 years at Idaho Steel. After his retirement, Karl was able to devote more time to the sport of golf. Maxine was also an avid golfer and they enjoyed many hours on the golf course. Karl took joy in outfitting his children and grandchildren with their own set of golf clubs. As a youth, Karl enjoyed swimming and went on to teach both of his children how to swim and dive. Karl was also an accomplished bowler. In his spare time, he loved listening to big band music on his stereo; playing billiards on his snooker table with his son and grandsons; playing pinochle and gin rummy with his wife and friends; and doing crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles.
Karl took pride in maintaining his home and yard and always had a beautifully manicured lawn. He was the “go to” guy when anything needed to be repaired. He could fix anything, from plumbing, electrical, home appliances, and everything else in between.
Karl was a member of the Elks Lodge for over 60 years. He was also a stockholder at Jefferson Hills Golf Club.
Family was always foremost to Karl, and he was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. Karl is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Maxine, and his children, Jill and Jeff, all of Idaho Falls; his grandsons, Chad and Cameron, both of Boise, ID; a sister, Lucille Baker (Jack, deceased) of Littleton, CO; a brother, Kenneth (Joanne, deceased) of Pullman, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and four brothers.
