Obituary of Gene L. Barber

Gene L. Barber passed away quietly at home on December 11, 2022 at the age of 85. Gene was born in Hetland, South Dakota on March 15, 1937 to the late Darrel and Sybil Barber of Yuba City. By the time he was two, California became his home state. For over 70 of the following years, he lived in the Yuba City area where he met his wife, Marlene (Conner) Barber, a born and bred native of California. Gene loved his family and consciously set out to raise them well by keeping them close. Water skiing and house-boating accomplished that. All four children became avid swimmers and water skiers, learning to love the outdoors. Summer weekends would find his family at Lake Oroville on the houseboat he designed and built. Although eventually he did agree to several family trips to the Hawaiian Islands, home was the place he loved best. Gene was also a gifted wood worker and spent any free hours he found in the backyard shop, particularly after retirement. Gene began working for Cal Trans (Division of Highways as it was then known) immediately upon finishing college, moving through various departments until he ultimately became the Claims Officer for District 3, a position he held for the last 13 years of his career. In total he worked for Cal Trans for 44 years. This was followed by several years of consultant legal work. Gene is survived by his beloved wife Marlene, his son Devin Barber (Gail), and a daughter, Erin Crawford (Scott). He has a brother, Ronald Barber (Judy), three granddaughters, and seven great-grandchildren. Extended family still reside in South Dakota. Two sons predeceased him, Michael Barber and Jeffery Barber. A viewing is planned for friends and family at the Ullrey Memorial Chapel (817 Almond Street, Yuba City) from 10:00 to 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. Graveside services will follow at Noon at Sutter Memorial Cemetery, Sutter. Gene was well loved and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.