Kenneth Reece Barker

Barker, Kenneth Reece

February 1, 1932 - August 22, 2022

Raleigh - On Monday, August 22, 2022, after several months of declining health, Kenneth Reece Barker completed his earthly journey with grace and dignity.

Kenneth, "KRB," was born February 1, 1932 in Benham, NC to the late Bertha Angeline Pruitt and Benjamin Harrison Barker. He graduated from North Carolina State University, earning a B.S. in agronomy (1956) as well as a M.S. in plant pathology (1959). He married Betty Flynt in 1958 and they moved to Wisconsin. In 1961, he received a Ph.D. degree in plant pathology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; he then worked as a professor until 1966. He returned to NCSU as a professor/researcher and worked until his retirement in 1998.

After a full and rewarding life, Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife Betty, his parents and eleven siblings (Cecil, Ethel, Pansy, Grace, James, Luther, Ermal, Flora, Mary Lee, Hazel, and Benny).

He is survived by his daughters Elizabeth Owens, her husband Todd, and children, Megan and Tyler; Nicole Scoggins, her husband Troy, and children, Drew and Cole; and his brother Rex from Roaring River.

While in Madison, WI, he enjoyed ice fishing on Lake Mendota, attending UW football games (often at minus 10 F while wrapping up in a sleeping bag). During his 5 decades in Raleigh, he enjoyed attending NCSU football and basketball games, which was always a high priority.

Ken was a world traveler. He toured the majority of the states in the USA, including Hawaii and Alaska. His family spent 6 weeks in Brazil, following an earlier stay in Venezuela. Subsequent excursions included Israel, A LIFETIME HIGHLIGHT, the UK (with 8-month-old Megan, Liz, Todd and Betty), France, Belgium, Scotland, The Netherlands, Spain, China, Thailand, Pakistan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia and Canada. After his retirement, his near endless trips involved Disney World, Barbados, cruises to the Caribbean, Belize, Grand Turks, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten with his children, grandchildren, sons-in-law, and Betty. Topsail Island and Wilkes County were frequent trips enjoyed with family and friends.

Following a family graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh, Ken's memorial service is scheduled for 12 p.m. Saturday, August 27 at Raleigh Moravian Church, followed by a reception of friends at the church.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Kenneth R. & Betty F. Barker Scholarship Endowment at NC State University. Please make gifts payable to the North Carolina State University Foundation, Inc., with Barker Scholarship in the memo line. Gifts may be mailed to NC State University Foundation, Campus Box 7501, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7501.

Services provided by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC; www.brownwynneraleigh.com.