WILMINGTON — Jack Barker, beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend, followed the love of his life, wife Ann, into eternity on September 23, 2025, just three weeks after Ann’s passing and one day before their 70th wedding anniversary. They are most assuredly cutting the rug on heaven’s dance floor.
Born August 25, 1931, in Kirksville, Missouri, Jack came into the world during the height of the Great Depression and worked at nearly every kind of job imaginable — hotel bell hop, filling station attendant, disc jockey, sports columnist, etc. In February 1951, Jack took leave from college to join the Army, taking basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, before shipping out to Korea in April 1952, landing in what’s now known as Busan. As a Company Clerk for the 765th Transportation Railway Service Battalion, he was deeply involved in Operation Big Switch and Operation Little Switch — the prisoner exchanges with North Korea. His meritorious service earned him the Commendation Ribbon with Medal Pendant, and he was promoted to Staff Sergeant, taking over operations of the NCO Club for the 765th TRSB.
After his honorable discharge in January 1954, Jack re-entered Kirksville State Teachers’ College (now Truman University). There, he spotted Ann across the room of the soda fountain, falling in love with her right then and there. Fortunately, he was able to beat out the other interested parties in capturing her heart, and on September 24, 1955, they married at Ann’s parents home in Edina, Missouri. Jack’s professional career began in 1956 with General Electric Company as a quality engineer at their Mattoon, Illinois lamp plant. His career with GE spanned 35 years, taking the family from Illinois to Ohio where they raised their children. When he retired in 1991, it was as Manager of Product Planning for Glass for which he was able to travel extensively (over 100 trips!) across Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Jack was a devoted husband and father to four children and took immense pride in his family. He was preceded in death by his wife Ann, parents John Dye Barker and Ethel Mae Beeler, daughter Jo Dee, son John, son-in-law Michael, and brother Wayne. He is survived by daughters Joan and Helene, son-in-law John, daughter-in-law Lori, grandchildren Annie (Tom), Megan (Travis), Simon, and Claire (Alastair), great-grandchild Sunny, and a legion of nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family would appreciate memorial donations made in his memory to the church.
