Randal "Keith" Barber

Randal Keith Barber was born February 20, 1951 in Gilmer, TX to Joseph Randal (Corky) Barber and Mary Sue White Barber. Keith passed from this earth on October 13, 2025, in Longview, TX.

He is survived by his daughters: Susan Marie Floyd, husband Jason Floyd, grandsons Jake Randal Floyd and Maddox Jaxon Floyd of College Station, TX; daughter Alisa Kay Thorold, grandson Lennox Rodney Thorold of Diana, TX; sister Marilyn Denise Williams of Longview, and a whole host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.

He is preceded in death by grandparents Clarence Wesley Barber, Cass Davis Barber, Frank White Jr., Ruby Mae Wiggins White, all of Gilmer, TX. Parents Joseph Randal (Corky) Barber, Mary Sue White Barber. Sister Phyliss Sue Barber Hamberlin and nephew Stephen Michael Hamberlin, both of Terrell, TX.

Keith was a 1969 graduate of Gilmer High School. While at Gilmer High School he was a class officer, member of the student council, and active in sports, primarily football and track. He was also a member of the Key Club. Keith was an active member of FFA serving as president and participating in numerous contests and activities, and became only the 2nd Gilmer High student to earn all four FFA distinctions.

Agriculture was very important to Keith. His father JR “Corky” and uncle JW “Ecky” Barber owned and operated the Gilmer Packing Company and as a young child he was involved in the family business. He assumed many roles beginning with stocking inventory at Barber Grocery - especially the cold drinks and candy. He soon graduated to raising red wigglers with his cousin Mike in order to finance his first cow and calf. Later he became more involved with the large feedlot operations, feeding, hauling hay, and transporting cattle to livestock sales. He also delivered meat to various businesses and restaurants in the area.

After high school, Keith attended Kilgore Jr. College and then Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. He graduated from TAMU in 1973 with a BBA in Accounting with the intent of returning to the family business. Being an Aggie became much a part of his identity as anything else. His heart bled maroon and white and Aggieland was never too far away. He was often in his Aggie attire and at one point, he had an Aggie Room in his home with every Aggie trinket possible. (He even had 2 copies of an Aggie Joke Book because he wanted to read it again.) There was a trip to College Station at least once a year for a football or basketball game and a drive around campus to see what was new. Aggie football was required viewing in the fall and he never failed to shout “Ball! Ball! Ball!” when a fumble occurred. Aggie Muster was also important to Keith, and he attended each April 21st when he was able. Later on, his daughters attended Texas A&M and that gave him another reason to visit the Aggieland he loved so dear.

After his father passed, and the business was sold, he used his degree in accounting to serve his community. Keith served as County Auditor of Upshur, Marion, Cass, and Nacogdoches Counties for over 25 years. He served his community as a board member of Texas Public

County Auditors and the East Texas Housing Finance Council. He was active in the Gilmer Rotary Club and served as a school board member for Union Hill ISD.

After retirement, Keith could be found on the golf course, hopefully with his best friend Rodney Henson, catching a Gilmer football game, visiting with friends and family, and riding around town to see if there was anything he needed from the store. Health issues slowed him down but he was always happy to see his grandsons and spoil them with gifts and large amounts of candy. He aged but never really changed. He never lost his goober-ish sense of humor or his desire to help others.