Franklin R.'Big John' Barber, 72, of Refugio passed away early Thursday morning, February 17, 2011. He was born June 3, 1938, in Woodsboro, Texas to the late Frank and Agnes West Barber. He retired from Reynolds Metals Co. in Gregory in 1992, and continued to run a ranch for his uncle and mother. Upon their deaths, he continued to be a rancher with the help of his two sons. He loved going out to the ranch and just riding around and viewing all of the sights. He was a member of Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church in Refugio having gone to the convent school for 8 years before entering Refugio High School.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Anita Kana Barber, of 47 years, his sons, John F. and Leslie (Boogie), Presleigh and Thomas of Refugio, and Michael and Joni Barber of Papalote, Caleb of Lubbock and Calli of Amarillo.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Christopher Barber of Refugio.

Rosary will be recited at Moore Funeral Home on Friday, February 18, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. and the funeral mass will be at St. James Catholic Church in Refugio at on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Officiating will be Monsignor Arnold Anders of Mt. Carmel in Corpus Christi and assisted by Father Philip Panackal of Our Lady of Refuge Parish and Father Zenon Konowalek of St. James Parish in Refugio.

Serving as pallbearers will be Kurt Bauer, Mick O'Brien, Ronnie Williams, Monte Sternadel, Mike Heller and Mike Reilly. Honorary pallbearers will be Dairy Queen Round Table, Allen Reilly, Arlen Walker, Kenneth Bland, Jack Dvorak, Vincent Linney, Gene Barber, Pat McGuill, Jack Slack, John Morgan O'Brien, Johnny Mack Pursell, Rodger Koehler, and the RHS Class of '56.