Donald Barbour, 98, Army Air Corps veteran, Silver Beaver Award Recipient, & Meals on Wheels Driver

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NATICK – Donald Barbour, of Natick, husband for 72 years of Lois (Sanborn) Barbour, passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at age 98.

Born in Augusta, Maine to Forrest and Florence (Agar) Barbour, Don grew up along with his three sisters in Portland.

After graduating from Deering High in 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a ground crew radio operator, reaching the rank of sergeant. He was stationed for a time at several overseas locations, including one in Turkey.

Following discharge from the service, Don chose the path of many returning vets with college on the GI Bill (University of Maine), marriage, job (Kemper Insurance where he spent his entire working career), start of a family, little post-WWII Cape Cod house – eventually four kids, a dog, and a station wagon, no seat belts.

The family lived in Somerset, Mass. for fifteen years where Don served the South Somerset Methodist Church in various capacities.

After moving to Natick, Don became actively involved with Boy Scout Troop 1775, spending many years on the Troop Committee and several as troop leader. An Eagle Scout himself, he was very proud to have helped guide several boys toward achievement of that prestigious honor. When his active role in scouting ended, Don was awarded The Silver Beaver Award by the Knox Trail Council.

For many years, Don was a driver for the Meals on Wheels program.

Don always enjoyed family vacations and holiday celebrations with extended family as well. He and Lois made many friends and had much pleasure from twenty-five years of square dancing with clubs in Natick, Needham, and West Boylston.

After Don’s retirement, they put their motorhome on the road and meandered all over the country, reaching all the Lower 48 and taking in many National Parks.

Besides his wife, Don is survived by four children – Carol Barbour and her husband Jann Glider of Wynnewood, PA, Joyce Albert and her husband Melvin of Natick, Thomas Barbour of Wilmington, NC, and Donna Barbour-Talley and her husband James Talley of Minneapolis, five grandchildren and two greats – Marcia Gerring, her husband Gabriel and their two children Natalie and Jack of Minneapolis, Edward Talley of Brooklyn, Benjamin Glider and his wife Samantha Menza of Piscataway, NJ, Joshua Glider of Philadelphia, and Julia Albert of NYC.

Services will be private. Arrangements by Everett Funeral Home in Natick.

Anyone wishing to make a memorial donation is urged to consider CARE’s Turkey and Syria Earthquake Fund (care.org, 800-521-CARE, P.O. Box 1870, Merrifield, VA 22116), which is providing emergency food, health services, and shelter to those in need.

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