Tom played guitar and sang his last song on Monday, August 13, 2018. After amazing us with his courage, stamina and cheerfulness during 5 ½ years of continuous chemo treatments, pancreatic cancer wore him out. God led him up the Stairway to Heaven while his family was sitting by his bedside, at home. He is now rocking the heavenly choirs.

Tom was born on January 21, 1953 in Virginia, MN to Gregory and Doris (Finni) Barber. He grew up at, and returned to, his family home on Ely Lake in Eveleth, MN. He had a great life on the lake – swimming, boating, fishing, waterskiing, where he claimed to have learned to drive a boat before he learned to ride a bike. Tom attended Gilbert High School, Gilbert, MN. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army National Guard and served 6 years. His 5 years of college, began at Mesabi Junior College and ended at University of MN, Duluth with a double major in Music and Chemistry. He met his wife, Mayme, in Helsinki, Finland during a UMD University Singers concert tour of Scandinavia.

Tom and Mayme (Opheim) were married on May 5, 1979 in Duluth, MN. Their children, Breanna and Neil recall their childhood with a Dad who was always willing to drop whatever he was doing, and play with them, whenever they asked him, at their homes in Palo, Sparta and Ely Lake, Eveleth, MN. Family life with Tom was packed full of music, camping, fishing, saunas, an occasional cruise, and amusement park vacations jam-packed with days of roller coasters and thrill rides. His desire to travel, experience and explore brought joy into everyday life. Tom had the uncanny ability to make friends everywhere he went - especially with kids who nicknamed him, "Uncle Tom", regardless of relation.

Music was the true passion of Tom's soul. At 14 years old, he began his entertainment career of singing, playing guitar, theater & musical groups in high school and college, popular rock bands, hundreds of weddings & funerals, and contemporary guitarist & choir director of the Joyful Noise Choir at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Virginia, MN. He was able to share his strong faith in God through his music which touched people's hearts and souls.

Tom's delights were in growing any fruits and veggies, just for the fun and challenge. He and his Golden Retriever, Babe, would often be seen grazing in his raspberry patch, together. He was well-known for being the only one in the boat to catch a fish, and the entertainer at the hunting camp. The Vikings football and Wild hockey teams kept him occupied in the winter,

Tom worked at Erie Mining Company for 13 years, and became an entrepreneur/owner/screen printer at Barber Graphics in Virginia, MN, along with Mayme, for 36 years. He took great pride in building a family business that employed many friends and family over the years.

He will remain in the hearts and memories those left behind, including his wife of 39 years, Mayme; his children: Breanna (William) Barg of Eveleth, MN and Neil Barber of Virginia, MN; his sisters: Lynn (Tony) Gregorich of Eveleth, MN and Kathy (Tim) LaMourea of Cook, MN; his sisters-in-law: Kathryn Opheim (Terry) Feenstra of Sioux City, IA; Kara Mai (David) Nevin of Largo, FL and numerous nieces, nephews, godchildren; the Gethsemane Joyful Noise Choir and a lifetime of wonderful friends, including his faithful furry companion, Babe. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gregory and Doris Barber, and parents-in-law, Vernon and Avis Opheim.

A joyous Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 901 S 4th St, Virginia, MN at 4 pm with a visitation beginning at 3 pm. Memorials to the family are preferred in lieu of flowers.

Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Virginia. To express condolences on-line please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Gathering Time for Family & Friends 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ,Saturday, August 18, 2018
Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church
901 3rd Street South Virginia, MN 55792
Celebration of Life Service 4:00 PM ,Saturday, August 18, 2018
Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church
901 3rd Street South Virginia, MN 55792