Richard "Dick" Barber

Richard (Dick) Barber passed away peacefully at home on June 28, 2025.

Dick was born to Hugh Edd and Florence Barber December 11, 1941. He grew up in Dalhart, Texas, and attended high school at Price College in Amarillo, Texas, where he met Rosalyn Marie Stump. They married in May of 1961.

Dick is survived by his wife, Rosie Barber of Dalhart, and four children:

Dale Barber of Dalhart, Lorie & Matt Vincent of Austin, Russell & Teri Barber of Lake Tanglewood, and Chris Barber of Tulsa, OK.

He was Paw Paw to Seven grandchildren: Brady Barber & Jerra Brewer of Amarillo TX; Carson & Tobie Barber of Amarillo, TX; Loren Barber of Austin TX; Mazie Rae & Jake Schlueter of Merrill, WI; Bailee Barber of Frisco, TX; Dora Barber of Tulsa, OK; Hugh Barber of Tulsa, OK; and one great grandchild: Addison Schlueter of Merrill, WI.

He is survived by his two sisters, Cheryl Garrison of Conroe, TX, and Nan Barber of San Angelo, TX, whom he absolutely adored. He also enjoyed his extended family and their many adventures together.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh Edd and Florence Barber, and infant daughter, Tammie Barber.

Following a short stint with the Rock Island Railroad in Amarillo, Dick brought his young bride back to his hometown of Dalhart, Texas. He joined Barber Bros. Oil Company, which later became Barber Oil Company. He and his dad also had Barber Farms together. He was a long-time successful entrepreneur in the Dalhart area for more than thirty years. Following a brief retirement, he joined the TDCJ-Dalhart Unit in the Education Department for 17 years.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed his old 1960 AMC Rambler, golf, gardening, puzzles, twangy 50s country music, many precious dogs, and a few select cats. He was an avid blackjack player and loved watching old westerns over and over.

You wouldn’t know it by looking at him, but he was an outstanding bowler, table tennis player and excellent dancer.

He loved traveling with his wife, Rosie, and they enjoyed many excursions and shenanigans with friends throughout the years.

His career highlights included being President of the XIT Rodeo & Reunion in 1972 and 1973 and serving on the XIT Board for three years. He was a visionary leader who loved promoting XIT and its heritage, which he felt made his hometown so special. In 2016, he was selected as the XIT Rodeo & Reunion Official Parade Marshall to honor his immeasurable contributions to the organization and community.

He was a Mason, a member of the Dalhart Chamber of Commerce, the Dalhart Lions Club, and the Eye Bank Board. He was the former President of the Dalhart Country Club Board of Directors and a long-time supporter of Dallam County 4-H and Dalhart FFA. With four kids, he raised more pigs and traveled to more stock shows than we can count.

As the owner of the last generation of full-service gas stations, he will forever be known for his emphasis on excellent customer service.

He was fiercely devoted to his beloved wife of 65 years and his family and friends. He was a giant among many and will be remembered for his fairness, business acumen, and dry humor. He spent his retirement years doing what he loved most — spending time with grandkids, napping in his chair, gambling, enjoying Rosie’s good cooking, and watching reruns of Perry Mason.

He lived a long, full life and leaves a strong legacy of family and friends behind.

In lieu of flowers, it was his wish that donations be made to his favorite charity, The Twilight Fund in Dalhart, Texas.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on July 3, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Dalhart.