Joseph (Joe) Gerald Barbin, 85, passed away on March 4, 2017 at his home in Decatur, AL after a life of selfless service to his family, country, and community.
Mr. Barbin was born on February 4, 1932 to Earl Frank Barbin and Edna Gaspard Barbin in Marksville, LA. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1950, served in Okinawa during the Korean War, and achieved the rank of Staff Sargent before receiving an honorable discharge in 1954. Upon returning home, Mr. Barbin made the best decision of his life by convincing Barbara Ann McHugh to marry him on September 20, 1956. He then began a twenty-eight year career as a government civilian, which presented opportunities to support the Hawk and Patriot missile programs and retire as a GS-15 from the U.S. Army Missile Command. After his government retirement, Mr. Barbin continued his service for another six years as a consultant with Raytheon Missile Systems. Even after nearly forty years of service to our country, Mr. Barbin could not ignore his servant’s heart and relished the opportunity to volunteer with the Morgan County District Court as a small claims mediator and as a mentor to troubled youth who were sent before his Morgan County Juvenile Conference Committee. For his contributions, Mr. Barbin was named the Volunteer of the Year by the State of Alabama’s Judicial Volunteer Program and the 2001 Juvenile Justice Volunteer of the Year by the Alabama Chief Probation Officer’s Association.
Mr. Barbin was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fly-fishing on the Tennessee River, watching the LSU tigers, and being at all of his grandchildren’s sporting events. He was also a self-taught knife maker who made world class hunting and skinning blades. However, as his friends and family know, his salesmanship skills were lacking so he ended up giving most of his work away to anyone who showed an interest in his impeccable workmanship. In the end, nothing meant more to him than his family and his beloved darling with whom he shared a love story that spanned more than sixty years.
His Father, Earl Frank Barbin, and his mother, Edna Gaspard Barbin, preceded Mr. Barbin in death.
Mr. Barbin is survived by his loving wife, Ann; his four children, Jacke Bell (Joe) of Triana, Babs Tanner of Decatur, Rodney Barbin (Gina) of Moulton, and Randy Barbin (Janis) of Danville; his brother, Troy Barbin of Athens; his sisters Ellen Conger of Baker, LA. and Jean Walker of Burleson, TX.; and twelve grandchildren; and twenty great grandchildren.
Visitation will occur at Shelton’s Funeral Home in Decatur, AL. on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 from 12pm-2pm. The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation with Reverends Chris Martin and Don Gentry officiating. Burial will be at East Lawrence Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Barbin’s grandsons (Randy Bice, Eric Tanner, Blake Barbin, Craig Kilgo, Travis Tanner, and Zac Tanner) will serve as Pallbearers.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of the Valley, the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation, and Meals on Wheels.
The family would also like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Micah Howard, Hospice of the Valley, and to Mr. Barbin’s caregivers (Corrine, Melody, Donla, and Ivalene).
