Delmos Franklin Barb, 80, of Marlinton, “called the game” Sunday, August 3, 2025, at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.
“Coach Barb,” as he was known to most, entered eternal rest after experiencing complications due to pneumonia. He was born July 23, 1945, in Cass.
Delmos was a 1963 graduate of Marlinton High School, where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete. He was an all-state football player, and people who knew him still tell legendary stories about how great he was as a running back. While still in high school, he volunteered as a coach and umpire for little league baseball. His passion for sports and coaching led him to earn a degree in education from Glenville State College. Upon graduation, he became a teacher and coach, first in Richwood, then returning home to Pocahontas County, where he would remain for his career. He taught social studies, physical education and driver’s ed (sort of – many of his former students admit that most of the time in the driver’s ed car was spent “road hunting.”) He coached football, basketball, track, baseball and golf. He was known as a teacher and coach who genuinely cared about his students and players, always encouraging them to be the best version of themselves. His greatest victories came in the form of his former students and players going on to be successful in life, often returning to tell him how much they appreciated his influence.
As good as he was as an athlete, teacher and coach, though, his greatest pride and role in life was being a husband, father and pawpaw. He adored his family, and nothing gave him more joy than being with them.
Delmos was a humble man of unwavering faith. He loved to tell stories of his grandmother taking him to tent revivals in Cass when he was a young boy, and he was an avid reader of the scriptures and loved the writings of Max Lucado. He was a long-time member of the Marlinton United Methodist Church, where he later served as lay-speaker, often weaving together messages from scripture and sports. He embodied the true message of loving his neighbor and modeled a life of servant leadership.
Everyone who knew Delmos knew of his love of sports, hunting and fishing, golfing and passion for spending countless hours driving the country roads of Pocahontas County looking for wildlife and enjoying the solitude of being at home in the hills.
Delmos was preceded in death by his father, Howard James Barb; mother, Rhoda Lucretia “Sis” (Summerfield) Barb; and sister Judith “Judy” Acton.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Teresa “Terry” (Wooddell) Barb; son, Paul Barb, and wife, Annie; grandchildren, KyaLily, Owen and Finley Barb; siblings, Howard William “Bubby” Barb, and wife, Linda, Lillian “Sissy” Goldizen, and husband, James, Michael Barb, and wife, Myranda; sister-in-law, Wendy (Wooddell) Sur, and husband, Bhaskar Sur; many nephews, nieces and cousins; and all of the members of our community whose lives he impacted.
His passing leaves a hole the size of a football field in the hearts of his family and friends, and all of those whose lives he touched along the way.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Marlinton United Methodist Church.
Special thanks to Doug Lantz in showing his compassion for his former coach and his family; and to the hospital staff at Pocahontas Memorial Hospital; CAMC in Charleston; and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.
A celebration of life will be held Sunday, August 17, 2025, at 4 p.m. at Marlinton United Methodist Church with Carmen LaRue officiating.
Memories and condolences may be shared at Lantzfuneralhome.com
