Joseph Steven Barker

Joseph Steven Barker

Joseph Steven Barker died peacefully on Sunday, January 25, 2009, in the Charlottesville home he shaped, with John Gibson, his life partner of 22 years, at his side.

Joe was born on March 26, 1956, in Mullens, West Virginia, the son of George and Castella Barker.

He is survived by his partner, his mother, his brother, Tommy Barker and a wide circle of well-loved friends.

He grew up in Otsego, West Virginia, where his lifelong passions for nature, medicine, and geography took root. Joe was a graduate of Mullens High School, class of 1973, and of Concord College, class of 1988, where he received a degree in geography with honors. Joe spent many years working as a paramedic and in the emergency rooms of Wyoming County and Raleigh General Hospitals and was especially proud of his time as an employee of National Geographic in Washington, D.C.

Joe and John lived a very full life together. They met in Beckley, West Virginia, on January 2, 1987, through their mutual association with Theater West Virginia. They lived in Salisbury and Smithfield, North Carolina, Lexington, Kentucky, Washington, D.C, and San Francisco, California. It was during their 17 years in Charlottesville that their lives together found fullest form and greatest satisfaction.

Their first 10 years in Charlottesville were spent on the 6th floor of 500 Court Square (the old Monticello Hotel), where a bank of south-facing windows let Joe stretch his eyes many miles to take in the mountains he loved so dearly. Their home there was noted for its warmth and hospitality and through those years they welcomed hundreds of friends for parties, brunches, and open houses. Joe and John had spent time owning and operating a small bakery in North Carolina, and Joe's fresh bread was legendary.

Joe and John found the home in which they planned to grow old on Lexington Avenue and settled there on the Ides of March, 2002. They opened their home to their wide circle with a last sunset salute at 500 Court Square, followed by a procession of friends down Park Street, culminating in a garden warming party on Lexington Avenue.

Joe was an instrumental presence at Live Arts, where he worked beside John, and met so many who became so dear. In the early years, Joe was found lending a hand wherever and however he could. His capacity for corralling chaos was well-matched by John's ability to create it. He was proud to play a role behind the scenes, and lent great stability and strength to all he undertook. He was very proud of his formative role in Live Arts' work with the American High School Theater Festival and thought of Edinburgh, Scotland as a second home after a decade of Augusts spent there.

Joe was an accomplished meteorologist, a mapper and plotter, a friend to all animals, a gifted amateur photo-grapher and the most capable, even-tempered companion one could hope for. He was a passionate observer and critic of society and the world and a passionate advocate for social change. He marched in parades and picket lines, chanted at demonstrations, and gave respectful and lasting support to those less fortunate.

In addition to his partner, mother, and brother, Joe is survived by his extended Gibson family, James, Joyce, Eddy, Mary Jo, Talton, Campbell and Lindsay and by many friends. Kay, Corey, Will, Catherine, Laura, Satch, and Susan helped greatly through his final struggles, and many more were by his side in spirit.

Special thanks are due to his magnificent medical team, headed by Greg, Sarah, and Rebecca.

A memorial service will be held at Live Arts soon.

In lieu of flowers, Joe asked that donations be made to the University of Virginia School of Nursing, in his memory and in honor of Sarah Delgado, his passionate advocate and care-giver.

Friends may sign the online guest register at hillandwood.com


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.