John Barber

John Kelly Barber, 73, of Danville, passed away February 24, 2026, at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center. He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Kaye S. Barber. John was born in Lebanon, Kentucky, on March 2, 1952, to the late Philetus Swift Barber IV and Mary Jane Kelly Barber. 

John was raised in the Catholic faith and also attended Southland Christian Church. He graduated from St. Xavier High School in Louisville and attended Bellarmine University. He was an owner of Barber Cabinet Company, a family business that his father started in 1948. John designed hundreds of beautiful, custom kitchens across Central Kentucky, always with one of his beloved dogs by his side.

John found joy in many different hobbies throughout his life. He loved fishing and hunting and spent many afternoons at his Washington County farm. He was an avid golfer who took more lessons and owned more gadgets than most, and he enjoyed being in Hilton Head and Florida with family, escaping the cold weather of Kentucky. 

Along with his wife, John is survived by three sons, James Christopher Barber (Leighandra) of Winchester, Jeffery O'Neal Barber of Danville, and D. Teague Sims (Laura) of Lexington; seven grandchildren, Logan Barber, Griffin Sims, Ethan Barber, Alexander Barber, Hayden Barber, Matthew Barber, and Jacob Barber; siblings James Vincent “Vinny” Barber of Coxs Creek, Michael "Mike" Bruce Barber of Lexington, Louis Stephen Barber of Springfield, Kevin Anthony Barber of Nashville, Mary Jane Schmidt of Louisville, Mary Teresa Abell of Springfield, and Rebecca "Becky" Ann Burns of Versailles; and numerous nieces and nephews.

John was also preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Joseph David Barber and Philetus “Rusty” Swift Barber V.

Funeral service will be at 12:00 PM on Monday, March 2, 2026, at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday, March 1, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM  at Preston Pruitt Spurlin Funeral Home. 

Pallbearers will be Jim Barber, Jeff Barber, Logan Barber, Ethan Barber, Hayden Barber, Teague Sims, Griffin Sims, and Luke Lovell.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Vinny Barber, Mike Barber, Louis Barber, Kevin Barber, Greg Barber, Alex Barber, Matthew Barber, Jacob Barber, Brent Beauman, and Steve Lovell.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are preferred to Southland Christian Church, Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, DanceBlue-Danville High School, and the Danville-Boyle County Humane Society.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.