Jay L. Barber, Jr., age 71, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, January 6, 2025, in Alexandria at Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

The Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 11, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at River Outreach Church in Pineville. Services will be held at the church on Monday at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Dennis Dunn, Phillip Terrell, and Mike Byrnes officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of Gallagher Funeral Home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, J. L. Sr. and Connie Hancock; and brother, Kyle Hancock.
Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Jason Barber and wife Jessica, Dustin Barber and wife Chasity, and Courtney “Bug” McKee and husband Jacob; grandchildren, Austin Barber, Taylor Barber Camel and husband Michael Jr., Tyler Barber, Gabrielle Barber, Eden Barber, Elijah McKee, and Malachi McKee; step mother, Earline Grider; siblings, Karen Duke and husband Donald, Bill Barber, Bryan Barber, Melinda Keirsey, and Todd Hancock; his “bestest best friend”, Deborah Fay. Jay L. Barber was born on January 6, 1955, in Hobbs, New Mexico. He grew up working on ranches in southeastern New Mexico and Odessa, Texas, where he learned the values of hard work, discipline, and service that would guide his life.

Jay devoted his life to two great passions: law enforcement and coaching. He served more than 30 years in law enforcement and retired as Chief of Police for the City of Pineville. Throughout his career, he was a dedicated public servant and leader, serving as Past President of the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association and Past President of the Louisiana D.A.R.E. Officers Association. He also served as a D.A.R.E. officers’ class instructor for the State of Louisiana, was a member of the Louisiana State D.A.R.E. Council, supervised the Rapides Parish D.A.R.E. Unit, and was honored with the Louisiana Attorney General’s Community Champion Award. Jay also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Louisiana D.A.R.E. Officers Association.

In addition to his law enforcement career, Jay had a lifelong love for coaching and mentoring young people. He began coaching youth sports at Ward 10, including football, basketball, baseball, and softball.

He later served as the softball coach at Tioga High School and at LCU, where he coached until retirement. After retiring, he returned to Tioga High School to continue coaching softball.

Jay was inducted into the Louisiana Softball Coaches Hall of Fame and received Distinguished Service recognition. His teams achieved numerous conference championships, regional appearances, and state championship appearances. While at LCU, he was part of the ASC coaching staff during multiple successful seasons, including a Division II College World Series appearance.

Above all else, Jay loved coaching softball, mentoring athletes, and helping young people grow both on and off the field. Even more, he deeply loved his family and was a devoted father and grandfather whose presence, guidance, and unwavering support shaped the lives of those closest to him. His legacy lives on through the many lives he touched, both personally and professionally.

Pallbearers honored to serve are Tyler Barber, Austin Barber, Mike Byrnes, David Nunally, Harry Welch, and Phillip Terrell. Honorary are Wade Bynog, Jody Moreau, George Barrett, Dana Rachal, Keith Mclain, Elijah McKee, Malachi McKee, and the Tioga Softball Coaching Staff.