Denzil "Whimpy" Barber

DENZIL “WHIMPY” BARBER Denzil Lerue Barber, son of Martin Harwood and Ruby Atkinson Barber was born on March 19, 1936 in Hollis, Oklahoma during a dust storm. He departed this life, on Friday, April 01, 2016 in Lake Regional Hospital, Osage Beach, Missouri at the age of eighty years and thirteen days. The third of five children, Whimpy enjoyed his earliest childhood years spending much time in the outdoors, doing all a young boy could hope for, such as hunting with his dog, Buster and taking only a bullet or two and making each shot count. Sometimes he would stop by his grandmother’s house and she would clean a rabbit so his mother wouldn’t have to. He also rode his bicycle everywhere he could. After moving to Pasadena, Texas in 1942 for a better life, the family finances improved. His hunting and riding still continued and he was always on the lookout for money making opportunities. As a teenager he played bass in his brother Glen’s band and made money from donations. In 1955 he joined the Marines and ultimately spent eighteen months in Japan during his four years. While stationed in San Diego, he met his wife, Shirley Swaim and they were married in 1958. During their marriage, they moved to Texas twice, California twice, live in San Diego, Donner Summit, Redding and Eureka. In 1971 it was decided that in order to give their children a better life they would move to Camdenton near his in-laws. Whimpy’s work experience was varied. While living in California, he was an owner/operator of a dump truck business, also owned several gold mines in northern California. In Texas, he owned a bar in South Houston. In Missouri he opened a salvage yard and was in recycling. Whimpy and Shirley were RV travelers, visiting every state but Hawaii and Idaho. They made three trip to Alaska plus most of Canada. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Jay Barber of Camdenton, Missouri and Glenn Barber of Nashville, Tennessee, his sister Gail Holified of Soso, Mississippi and brother-in-law Billy McNeely. He is survived by two sons, Robert Barber and his wife Marcie of Camdenton, Missouri, David and his wife Cheryl Barber of Alabama; one daughter, Denise Wiethop and husband Jerry of Camdenton; his grandchildren, Eric Wiethop and wife Kristina of Macks Creek, Missouri, Troy Wiethop and wife Jen of Camdenton, Missouri, Kristin McGuire and husband Ryan of Camdenton, Missouri, Kyle Barber and wife Hannah of Branson, Missouri, Jerrod Bouchard and wife Christina of Huntsville, Alabama, Melissa Bouchard of Camdenton, Missouri, Jerico Barber of Camdenton, Missouri, Matthew Hillman and wife Chloe of Birmingham, Alabama and Dennis Hillman and wife Cheryl of El Dorado, California; great-grandchildren, Lily and Ty Wiethop, Fisher and Fletcher Wiethop, Mia, Claire and Grant McGuire, Dylan and Eli Barber, Madelyn and Kolbe Bouchard, Jade Bouchard, Ava and Savannah Hillman and Brayden, Mia and Kylie Hillman; his sister, Billie Jean McNeely of Dayton, Mississippi; brother-in-law, Jimmy Holifield of Soso, Mississippi, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. A celebration of life will be held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, April 3, 2016 at Ha Ha Tonka Springs Shelter house, Camdenton, Missouri. Memorial donations may be made to the Child Advocacy Center and may be left at the memorial service or at the funeral home. Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton, Missouri is assisting the family with their arrangements.