Stewart Clair Barber

Stewart Clair Barber, 85, of Mt. Pleasant SC, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at home with his family. Private services will be held in East Aurora, NY at a later date. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc, Mount Pleasant Chapel.

Stew was born on June 14, 1939, in Bradford, PA, son of the late Arthur Clair Barber and Jeanne Stewart Barber. Stew began playing football at an early age, often telling the story of wearing his grandmother's boots because they "pinched his feet and made him run faster." Stew was an incredible athlete in many sports. He broke his own father's high school shot put record and received full scholarship offers in both basketball and football. He chose football and played for Penn State and as a senior, received All-American honors as an offensive tackle.

It was at Penn State where Stew met the love of his life, Vicki. They met in December and married in July and it must have been true-love, as Vicki spent their honeymoon in Evanston, Illinois while Stew was at training camp. The honeymoon finale was attending the All-American Game where, when the owner of the Dallas Cowboys learned she was on her own, graciously invited her to be his guest.

Upon graduating college in 1961 Stew was drafted in the 4th round by the Buffalo Bills and also by the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL in the 3rd round. He elected to go with Buffalo and over the next 9 seasons played in 112 consecutive games, was a five-time All AFL Selection and appeared in four AFL All-Star Games. He was a member of both of the Bills AFL championship teams. Stew retired from playing in 1969 and after a stint in private business, got into professional coaching with the World Football League, eventually leaving to return to the Bills as a talent scout. Stew went on to become the Vice President and General Manager of the Bills from 1979-1982.

After his final retirement from the Bills, Stew returned to private business, eventually moving to Mt. Pleasant, SC, where he and his wife Vicki built their dream home. Stew was a humble man with an incredible work ethic that he passed down to his children. Stew's five daughters will remember him as their gentle giant and greatest supporter. They all knew not to change the channel on Sundays and to make sure they hid a piece of dessert before their dad finished it all!

Stew is survived by his wife of 63 years, Vicki Serwatka Barber of Mt. Pleasant, SC; his three daughters, Tracey Richter (Gregory) of East Aurora, NY, Jennifer Beall of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Alicia Barber of Goose Creek, SC; four grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Allison, Grace and Darren; a sister, Pam Meredith of Maryland; a nephew, Tim Meredith; two nieces Deb and Marge Meredith; and great-niece Ry Walker. He was preceded in death by his daughters, Michelle and Rebekah Barber.

Stew's last words to any of us whenever we left him were always, "Watch out for the other guy." We know he's now watching out for us.

GO BILLS!!

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, https://www.stjude.org/give.html

A memorial message may be sent to the family on our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.