Speros Barbas

Aug 22, 1949 — Jun 9, 2026

Speros Barbas passed away at his home in Malad, Idaho with his wife by his side, on June 9, 2026 at the age of 76.

Speros led a colorful and interesting life and had a personality that was truly larger than life. Speros was born in Cairo, Egypt to Christina (Avja) Barbas and her first husband, who passed away when Speros was very young. His mother became a single mom to him and older sister, Fotene (Tina). After some time, his mother married his step-father, John (Shawki) Barbas.

At the age of five, he and his sister were brought to a Greek boarding school and orphanage in Cairo, where he learned math, history, Greek, French and Arabic. He and his sister lived there for 5 years. There he gained a gang of friends and learned strength and resilience. After he aged out of the school, he and his sister moved back in with his mother and step-father along with his four other sisters.

The family then moved from Egypt to Athens, Greece, to be with relatives. They lived in their home country for about three years before they immigrated to the United States in 1964, when he was about 15 years old. Sponsored by the Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell, Massachusetts, the family began a new life. Speros attended high school in Lowell and learned English. His only brother came along after they moved to the states. He also started his long career in the restaurant industry by working as a bus boy and dishwasher at a local restaurant.

After graduating from high school, Speros continued working in restaurants, learning all aspects of the business and eventually becoming a chef. Speros owned several coffee shops and restaurants over the span of his lifetime.

At the young age of 22, Speros married and instantly became a step-father to four children. He and his wife later divorced, and he moved across the continent to California to start a new life. In Morgan Hill, he met the love of his life, Debbie, who was a waitress at a nearby restaurant. As soon as he met Debbie, he told his friend, “I’m going to marry that girl someday!” Debbie had other ideas and played hard to get, but they eventually became best friends. They planned to elope, but were talked into getting married at her parent’s home in Hollister on June 22, 1992. Speros gained an instant family by becoming a step-father to Debbie’s son, Walter. He also became fast friends with his new in-laws and family, especially with his father-in-law, Ray.

Debbie and Speros were great partners and opened a large restaurant in Morgan Hill, CA which became well known for its wonderful food and owners. After 14 successful years, they decided to follow Debbie’s parents to Malad, Idaho. After living in Malad for about a year and working different chef jobs, Debbie found a food kiosk on wheels that she convinced him to buy. What began as a plan for semi-retirement became a full time job and a beloved community staple. Speros House of BBQ opened in 2009. Loyal customers travel from as far as Salt Lake City and Idaho Falls to enjoy his famous pulled pork, ribs and tri-tip–and to visit with Speros himself. So much for semi-retirement! Speros worked full time until his death. Besides cooking up great food, Speros also loved his dog Lilly and cat Didi and riding his side-by-side with his wife. He enjoyed boating, traveling and spending time with his family. He loved being with his three grandchildren and great-grand children and spoiling them whenever he could. He also especially cherished spending time with his wife on his property and mowing his large field.

Speros was preceded in death by his father; mother, Christina Avji Barbas; step-father, John Shawki Barbas; brother, James Barbas; sister and brother-in-law, Fotene and Edward Saber; father-in-law, Lawrence Ray Francom; mother-in-law, Sherel Francom and brother-in-law, Greg Francom.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Debra Jean Francom Barbas; stepson, Walter Dickson Jr. of Dickerson, ND; sisters Sophia (George) Kalarites of Dracut, Mass.; Helene (Kerry) Brough of Pepperell, Mass.; Despina (James) Kalarites of Lowell, Mass. and Olympia (Rick) Graham of Newburyport, Mass.; brother-in-law Larry (Karen) Francom of Price, UT; Jennifer (Joseph) Lenaghen of Malad, ID; Jeff (Stephanie) Francom of Malad, ID; granddaughters Alyssa; and McKenna (Vince) Sisneros of Dickerson, ND; grandson Nicholas Pierce of Salinas, CA. He is also survived by many dear nieces and nephews and great-grandchildren as well as relatives in Greece and Egypt.

Funeral services will be held at Horsley Funeral Home in Malad, Idaho at 132 W. 300 N. on Saturday, June 13th at 12 noon with a viewing from 11-12. Burial will follow at the Malad Cemetery.