Donald (Don) Ray Barker

Donald (Don) Ray Barker of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma was called home to be with his Heavenly Father on August 3, 2016.

He was born in Trumann, Arkansas to Grady and Francis (Clem) Barker on March 15, 1936.

Don worked as a technical service representative for Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen and Case International. He spent the last years of his career traveling Oklahoma and Missouri conducting technical training seminars on farm equipment and assisting dealers with mechanical issues. He was said by some to be “the best combine man around.”

He enjoyed fishing, camping and working in the yard and prided himself in having one of the nicest-looking lawns in the neighborhood. Don also enjoyed watching Dallas Cowboys and Texas Longhorn football. Despite living in Oklahoma himself for many years and his daughters’ best efforts, he was never converted to a Sooner fan.

After growing tired of the constant traveling, Don retired with his wife, Velma, in Greenfield, Missouri where they could be close to Stockton Lake and their favorite past time – fishing. He purchased and restored an old pontoon boat and after christening it “The Honey Do” spent many enjoyable days with friends and family on the lake. (Shortened sentence – He purchased and restored an old pontoon boat and christened it “The Honey Do”.)

Don accepted Christ as his personal Savior, followed by baptism, in 1998 in Greenfield, Missouri. He remained active in the church, including delivering meals to the elderly, until his own health began to fail.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Velma Barker of Yukon, Oklahoma; his brother, James Church and wife Courtney of The Villages, Florida; two sons: Donald Barker, Jr. of St. Louis, Missouri and Mark Barker of St. Louis, Missouri; three daughters: Anita Anderson and husband Tom of Yukon, Oklahoma; Teresa Robinson and husband Jon of Bethany, Oklahoma; and Patricia Ayling and husband Rick of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 6, 2016, at Stable Rock Baptist Church, 1301 Cemetery Road in Yukon, Oklahoma.