Thomas A. Barber “Tom” was born May 25, 1938, in Saginaw, Michigan. Tom was born to Dewey Thomas and Irma Mary Barber, the younger brother to Conrad. From an early age, Tom’s parents instilled a hard work ethic and strong principles that stayed with Tom through his whole life. He went to Catholic Central High School, and he was proud to earn a degree from St. Thomas Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Soon after graduation, Tom made the best decision of his life and married Jaclyn “Jackie” Rieth on January 23, 1960. After moving to Chicago, Illinois, Tom quickly advanced the corporate management ladder at retail leader Montgomery Ward while he and Jackie got busy growing their family. Tom and Jackie had 4 children (Jamie, Terri, Kelly, Scott) and lived an idyllic life in Hoffman Estates outside of Chicago, going on annual family road trips, ice skating in the winter and becoming a tight knit tribe. He was the President of the Jaycees and a Board Member of the Park District. The Barber family moved to southern California in 1978, joining Jackie’s brother Dan Rieth’s family and chasing the American entrepreneurial dream. Tom pivoted to a career in real estate, financial advisor, insurance and business consulting, finding success and purpose in purchasing properties and mostly helping others. Tom’s greatest joy in life were his 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, all of whom benefited from advice and looked up to him as a role model. Tom was passionate about God, family, travel, learning, investing, sports, politics, people, food and teaching. A friend to all, a mentor to many and a truly one of a kind man - he will be missed dearly, and his wisdom, sayings, generosity and stories will live on forever.
