In Memoriam: Donald Eugene Barber

Donald Eugene Barber

Donald Eugene Barber, age 87, passed away March 4 at Inland Valley Hospital in Wildomar, CA.  Don was born December 12, 1932 in Los Angeles. He was raised there and in the City of Orange. He graduated from Orange Union High School in 1950 with his future wife of 48 years, Phoebe Sweet.

Don earned a BA degree in Theater Arts at UCLA with fellow classmate Carol Burnett. He attended USC graduate school, majoring in Political Science. Don taught high school in the Los Angeles Unified School District for 40 years. He acted in many movies, including a bit part in Francis Ford Coppola’s “One From the Heart” (1981) where he and Phoebe appeared in it together. Don also served in the US Navy and was honorably discharged in 1953.

Don and Phoebe lived in Canyon Lake for 30 years. They were active in the Fine Arts Guild and Travel Club. Don was an avid player and manager in the Menifee Senior Softball League and loved singing Sinatra and Gospel. With a profound passion to glorify the Lord, Don wrote and recorded Christian lyrics to well-known Sinatra songs. Don attended New Creations Church in Perris led by Don and Phoebe’s beloved friend Pastor Joe Sabolick.

Don is survived by sons Darren, Greg and Todd Barber, stepsons Sheridan, Cameron and Landon Tinder, stepdaughters Leticia and Elena Tinder and grandchildren Caleb, Rachel, Jennifer, Kimberly and Courtney Barber.

Funeral services will be March 18 at 10:00 a.m. at Evans-Brown Mortuary, 27010 Encanto Drive in Sun City. Interment will be March 19 at Rose Hills in Whittier. Pastor Joe will be officiating at both services.