John Howard Barber
Services for John Howard Barber, 85, of Sulphur, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at the Sulphur United Methodist Church with Rev. Jim Shepherd officiating. Arrangements will be under the direction of DeArman Funeral Home of Sulphur.
Another service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield, Minnesota. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Church. Bierman-Benson-Langehough Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements with Pastor Pam Fickensher officiating.
John was born June 3, 1938 in Marshall, Minnesota to Robert Gwendolyn Barber. He went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023 in Sulphur.
He grew up in Milroy, Minnesota. At age 19, he graduated from Reisch American School of Auctioneering. That started a profession that would last 66 years. He later became an instructor at the Auction College. He was honored for 40 years of service at the Dakota County 4-H Fair in Minnesota and 35 years for service to 4-H at the Minnesota State Fair. He was employed by the South St. Paul Union Stockyards for 45 years.
John and his family owned and operated the Hutchinson Horse Sales for many years.
He spent his free time traveling around the country wit his three girls showing their Quarter Horses and participating in related events. He was also honored with 30 years of service as a horse show judge.
He served as President of the Minnesota Quarter Horse Association and was inducted into the MN Quarter HorseAssociation Hall of Fame.
He was fortunate to breed a World Champion Quarter Horse, and an AQHA Champion.
John treasured his children and embraced every moment with them. He especially loved his role as Grandpa.
In retirement, he enjoyed trail riding and carriage rides. While in Oklahoma, he attended Sulphur United Methodist Church, where he felt welcome by his church family.
Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Alta Christine Barber; a sister, Fayette Zitzman; and a son-in-law, Douglas Carpenter.
He is survived by three daughters, Lori Bravo and husband, Francisco, of Sulphur, Jill Yanz and husband, Tom, of Hastings, MN, and Gwen Carpenter; granddaughter, Natalie Christine Bravo; sisters, Kathy Schueller and Jim of Chattanooga, TN and Marilyn Glen, of Council Bluffs, Iowa.