Stew Barber obit

Buffalo Bills Legend & 2-Time Champion Has Tragically Passed Away

 

He was not on the list.

Stew Barber, a key player for the Buffalo Bills’ back-to-back AFL championship teams in 1964 and 1965, tragically lost his life on June 11, 2025. His death came just short of his 87th birthday.

His obituary says he passed peacefully at his home with his family.

Barber played primarily as an offensive tackle after a successful rookie season as an outside linebacker after he was taken as a fourth-round pick in the 1961 AFL draft.

Barber, who earned All-American honors at Penn State as a two-way tackle, was also selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the NFL draft.

The Bradford, Pennsylvania native chose to stay close to home and signed with Buffalo.

In 1962, he was moved to left tackle, protecting quarterbacks Warren Rabb, Jack Kemp and Al Dorow. He helped the team win two straight AFL Championships. In 1962, he filled in 6 games at left guard in place of an injured Billy Shaw.

Barber announced his retirement after the 1969 season. In his career he only missed one game, made first-team All-AFL two straight seasons and played in five consecutive AFL All-Star games. In 1970, he was named to the second-team American Football League All-Time Team.

Barber was the offensive line coach for the New York Stars and Charlotte Hornets of the World Football League in 1974, under head coach, Babe Parilli.

Stewart Clair Barber, 85, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, passed away on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, peacefully, 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. He 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 where, 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. It must have been true loved, 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 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; 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; sister, Pam Meredith of Maryland, 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 when we left him were always, "Watch out for the other guy." We know he's now watching out for us. GO BILLS!!

 

Career highlights and awards

2× AFL champion (1964, 1965)

5× AFL All-Star (1963–1967)

Second-team AFL All-Time Team

All-American (1960)

First-team All-Eastern (1960)

Career NFL statistics

Games played: 125