Dr. Gerald L. "Jerry" Barbor

Dr. Gerald L. "Jerry" Barbor of Dover, age 92, experienced the joy of meeting Jesus face to face on April 17, 2025. He was born on August 5, 1932 in North Irwin, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania to D. Dean Barbor and Etta (Parry) Barbor. He was married for 58 years to Mildred E. (Hoffman) Barbor who predeceased him in 2013. He leaves behind three children, Sandra K. Hunter (Steve), Thomas R. Barbor (Naomi), and James D. Barbor (Kirsten); along with five grandchildren, Nicole Spangler (Mark), Thomas G. Barbor (Desiree), Andrew J. Barbor (Megan), Eric Sanders (Victoria), and Alex Barbor (Caitlyn). He has twelve great-grandchildren, Alexis and Brianna Spangler, Landon, Leona and Livia Barbor, Blake and Chase Barbor, Aurora, Brynlee and Eric Jr. Sanders, Asher and Athena Barbor . He had two brothers, John F Barbor (Martha) and he was predeceased in death by Richard P. Barbor (Jeanne).

Jerry moved to York from Western Pennsylvania in 1944 and attended York City Schools, graduating from William Penn Senior High in 1950. He attended Franklin and Marshall College and Temple University School of Dentistry from which he graduated in 1956 with a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree. He entered the U.S. Navy immediately after graduation and served at the following ships and stations: Naval Training Center Bainbridge MD, Naval Shipyard Charleston SC, Naval Dental Clinic Guantanamo Bay Cuba, Naval Air Reserve Training Unit Naval Air Station Lakehurst NJ, USS Cascade (AD16) in Newport RI, Naval Dental School Bethesda MD, University of Michigan, USS Hector (AR5) in Long Beach CA, Naval Dental Clinic Long Beach CA, Commanding Officer 11th Dental Company (3 MAF, 1st Marine Air Wing Iwakuni Japan), and Naval Amphibious Base Coronado CA. He retired in 1978 with the rank of Captain. He was a lifetime member of the Military Officers Association of America.

Dr. Barbor practiced general dentistry at 912 South George Street in York from 1978 through 1989. It was during this time that he became interested in apiculture and started keeping honey bees. Upon his retirement from private dental practice this hobby expanded to nearly one hundred colonies at his home in Hellam Township and at orchards throughout York County. He sold honey and bee products under the name “Jerry’s Bees”. He served for several years as President of the York County Beekeeper’s Association and was a Lifetime Member of The Eastern Apicultural Society.

Dr. Barbor recognized the advantages of solar energy and, several years after returning to York, had a passive solar home built in Hellam Township where he and Millie lived for twenty-five years. In addition to keeping bees, they were avid herb and vegetable gardeners. As health and energy declined, Millie and he moved to a condo on Greenspring Place, Country Meadows (Shiloh), Southampton at Waterford Apartments where Millie died in 2013, a condo at Equine Meadows and finally to Providence Place in Dover, PA.

Dr. Barbor was an active member of the York Alliance Church (Christian and Missionary Alliance) where he served in a number of capacities including Elder and Chairman of the Governing Board. He made four short-term mission trips to Burkina Faso, West Africa, to provide much needed dental services. He volunteered as an AARP Income Tax Consultant for about 15 years at numerous sites in York County and delivered Meals on Wheels from the Golden Connections Community Center (Formerly the Red Lion Area Senior Center) where he also served as a Board Member and Treasurer for many years.

Dr. Barbor loved to travel, especially within the United States, and managed to visit all 50 states and most of the southern Canadian Provinces during his travels. Sandy, his daughter, loved to travel as well and accompanied him in later years.

A Celebration of Dr. Barbor's Life will be held 3:00 PM on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at York Alliance Church, 501 Rathton Road, York, PA 17403, with Pastor Brian Kannel officiating. Prior to the service there will be a visitation from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM. A private interment will we be held at Mount Rose Cemetery. Heffner Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc. is assisting with arrangements.