Lee N. Barber

Lee Neal Barber, 71, of Paola, Kansas, passed away November 25, 2010.

He was born November 2, 1939, the only child of Pauline (Stewart) and Lonzo Barber. Lee attended Southwest High School in Kansas City, where he was active in the band.

Working over 40 years in the auto repair industry, he started his career at a Holiday Station before leasing Texaco and Conoco Stations. He owned and operated Lee's Auto and Transmission Service in Overland Park. He "retired" in 1995 but by 1997 purchased a second shop in Blue Springs. In spite of his impending blindness, he worked another two years getting this facility established.

Lee enjoyed fishing, boating, watching the Chiefs with his son and grandsons, playing blackjack, and spending time with his family. Upon his second retirement, Lee began designing and crafting many chairs and furniture in his ever expanding woodshop. Most recently he rebuilt the transmission in his 454 Chevy.

Lee is survived by his wife, Carolyn, four children: Deborah Jacobs, Karen Marshall, Rebecca Gilliford, and Matthew Barber, and their spouses Jeff Marshall, John Gilliford, and Lisa Barber. He thoroughly enjoyed his six grandchildren, Jennifer and Kyle Jacobs, Ryan Marshall, Woodie Gilliford, and Nicholas and Nathan Barber. He was recently preceded in death by a cherished son-in-law, David Jacobs.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, PO Box 17279, Baltimore, Maryland 21203 or online at www.blindness.org.

Memorial Service

Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Lee's life at the Louisburg United Methodist Church, 249 North Metcalf, Louisburg, Kansas at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, December 5, 2010.