Community mourns loss of Pineapple Barber

Tony "Pineapple" Barber, a resident of Hohenwald passed from this life on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at the age of 56. Pineapple was born on July 11, 1966, in Fallon, Nevada to Douglas Sr. and Roylyn Barber. In 1987, he married the love of his life, Gina Cameron, and they lived a wonderful life together.

People say that the pineapple is a symbol of welcome, warmth, friendship, and hospitality. If you read that, you'll understand why Tony Barber was called Pineapple. He was all of those things. He welcomed everyone into his life as if they were his own family. He was a friend to all that knew him and even one to those who didn't know him. Pineapple was a giver. He never allowed someone to go through hard times alone. He was always there for any type of charity work that could be done. One could say he had a 30+ year career in charitable service. Pineapple was a member of the Lewis County Elks Lodge, Lewis County Elks Riders, the Jaycees, and many other civic groups that helped countless members of the community. Every year at Christmas, you would find Pineapple and Gina out shopping for needy kids. Many of those kids never knew that their Christmas present came from Pineapple. He donated to everything that could be donated to and supported anyone in need. He was also a huge supporter of the Lewis County Cancer Fund. The thing about Pineapple is that he never wanted any praise for his work. He never wanted the attention. He always wanted to help others and he did it because of his love for his fellow man. Pineapple was the most loving human you would ever meet. He greeted everyone with a hug and a huge smile. He never failed to tell someone he loved them and he truly meant it. He was a hard worker. He loved his job with the City of Hohenwald and anyone he worked with loved him. Pineapple was a family man. He loved his family dearly and looked forward to spending as much time with them as possible.

Along with his wife, Gina Cameron Barber of Hohenwald, he is survived by his son, Elliott (Chassie) Barber of Hohenwald; parents, Douglas and Roylyn Barber of Hohenwald; brother, Douglas (Vickie) Barber, Jr. of Bradenton, Florida; step-siblings, Robert Verdon, Gary Verdon, and Debbie Harden; sister-in-law and best friend, Joy (Butch) Brown; brother-in-laws, Darrell (Wanda) Cameron, Rick Cameron, and Jeff (Barbara) Cameron; grandchildren, Ella Harris, Knox Harris, and one granddaughter on the way, Magnolia Sage Barber; also tons of nieces and nephews he thought of as his own kids.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Oscar and Carolyn Barber, mother and father-in-law, Mable and Alton Cameron, a nephew, Wesley Brown, and one step-brother, Allen Verdon.

Visitation with the family was held on Thursday, February 9, 2023, from 4:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at the McDonald Funeral Home in Hohenwald. Funeral services followed on Friday, February 10, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Blondy Church with John Eglinton, Bill Webb, and Jeff Gandy officiating. Burial followed in the Lewis County Memorial Gardens.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Lewis County Cancer Victims Fund.