Jan Marie Barber, 65, of Globe, Arizona died on Nov. 8th, 2015 after battling cancer for four years. Jan was born on Christmas Day, 1949 in Cuero, to Olene Brantley (Prasek) and Travis Joel Barber. Jan graduated from Cuero High School in 1968 and then went on to get her bachelor’s degree at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos.
Jan was so talented and enjoyed so many things but nothing brought her more joy than being a mother and grandmother.
That love of children is what led her to be a teacher that included many grade levels, art, and later being a director of Special Education after getting her Master's degree. She was a loving and supportive voice that encouraged so many people to pursue their talents and artistic gifts. One of her proudest accomplishments was while teaching on the San Carlos Apache reservation where she had the privilege of being the sponsor for the Apache Crown Dancers, even taking them to perform at the Super Bowl in 1996. She loved running into her former students (now grown adults themselves) and learn what an impact she had on their lives.
Jan will be remembered as a talented artist with her work on display throughout many of the homes and businesses in her hometowns of Cuero and Globe. Over the years, people would come to her to paint or draw a building that was significant to them. She once said that they weren’t just buildings to her; that when she turned the photographs into art, she would imagine their stories and the history that belonged to each one.
She recently added published author to her many talents with the release of “Out of the Darkness, Into the Lightning,” a book about an unsolved murder that happened over 100 years ago.
Jan loved spending her free time with her beloved, Tom Thompson, at their cabin in the mountains. There she would spend her time hiking, rock hunting, animal watching, painting, and appreciating the beauty of Arizona.
She is survived by the love her life, Tom Thompson; her children: Shawn, Jason, Jeremiah (and spouse, Tammy), Shanna, and Gabriel Kurtz; grandchildren, Emory, Alexis, and Diesel Kurtz; half sister: Jeanette Barber; and too many cousins to count.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Olene Brantley Prasek; father, Travis Joel Barber; and half sister, Patricia Wendel.
Jan Barber was truly a light in so many lives with her remarkable ability of creating new friendships and maintaining old ones throughout her life. She was a loving mother, friend, and mentor that will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be held Friday, Nov. 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Freund Funeral Home. Services will be held Saturday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m., at Lifeway Church with Pastor Glen Moore officiating. Interment will follow at Bundick Cemetery in Smiley.
Memorial contributions can be made to Pet Adoptions of Cuero.
You may sign the guest book or send condolences at www.freundfuneralhome.com.
Freund Funeral Home, 361-275-2343.
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