Mr. Kim Spencer “Kimmy” Barban died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. Stanley Turrentine’s “I Could Never Repay Your Love” was on the record player when Kimmy left this world.
Kim was born on Sept. 9, 1955, to Fern Copenhaver Barban and Stanley L. “Seigle” Barban. He grew up in Cape Charles and graduated from Cape Charles High School in 1974.
He attended Chowan College for the 1974-1975 school year before returning to the Eastern Shore. He later received an associate degree from Eastern Shore Community College.
He married Kate Widgen Barban on Oct. 2, 1982. They had two children, Sarah Stanley Barban and Joshua Benjamin Barban.
Kim had many jobs over his life. His first was at the A&N Store in Cape Charles with Mr. Hamilton. He also worked at the Colonial Store, Northampton Lumber Company, Northampton County Public Schools, Watters and Martin Hardware, and in the kitchen at several local restaurants.
Kimmy was a Cape Charles hardhead who loved to fish, cook, crack a joke, deliberately embarrass his family in public, play his music loud, tell stories about the good old days, and attend concerts.
Kimmy had many notable catchphrases, including “A boy named Kim — mom wanted a tall girl, but she got me instead,” “My mom always wanted a washing machine, that’s why she raised me to be an agitator,” “They call me barbwire because I’m a man you don’t want to tangle with,” “I’ve either broke it, fixed it, or sold it,” and “Remember to try, it makes a difference,” which he told his children frequently.
He is survived by his wife, Kate; his son, Josh; his daughter, Sarah; his sister, Valerie Barban Travis; his brother-in-law, Butch Travis; his nephews, Adam, Nathan (Heather), and Spencer (Rachel) Travis, and Phillip and David Barban (Amanda); as well as his great-nieces and great-nephews, Mollie, Reid, Parker, Luke, Palmer, Elliott, and Tilly.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fern and Stanley Barban, and his brothers, Dr. Mark Barban (Susan) and Brian “BB” Barban (Debbie).
Kimmy was a friend and fun uncle to many. A graveside service will be held at the Red Bank Baptist Church Cemetery on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Riverside Shore Hospice, P.O. Box 616, Onley, VA 23418.
Memory tributes may be shared at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements were made by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.
