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BORN
1941
DIED
2019
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John Barker Obituary
John W. Barker, age 78, passed away on 4-12-2019 at IMC. He was born on 4-8-1941 in Provo, UT to Mildred M. and John J. Barker. John lost his dad at age 4. He was raised by his mom with his three sisters. John worked at Auerbach's department store where he met the love of his life, Jo Jacobson. In 1971 he joined the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office (later to become Unified Police Department) where he was to work for the next 45 years. He was known to the law enforcement community as 'Pa'.
He is survived by his wife Jo; Sons, Paul (Navina) and Eric (Jennifer); grandchildren, Tavin, Christian, Sam, Kael, and Brox; sister, Margaret; many nephews and nieces; several friends; and his law enforcement family.
John did not want a formal funeral, instead a celebration of John's life will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2019 from 1:00-5:00 pm at the Karen Gail Miller Conference Center 9750 South 300 West-Sandy, Utah 84070. For the full obituary please go to: https://www.aspenfh.com/notices/John-Barker
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Barker
Sponsored by CLOSED - Aspen Funeral Services.
Doug & Barbara Roberts
April 12, 2022
Not a day goes by that we don't think of you. We miss your friendship so much. We know you are up there protecting JoAnn and your family here. You live on as an inspiration to so many here on earth. We love you.
John Pickup
April 20, 2019
I had the privilege of working and judging police dogs with John over several decades. He was truly a bigger than life presence. We will all truly miss him. My sincere condolences.
Judy Dencker
April 19, 2019
Jo -
What an unpleasant surprise to find in the paper yesterday. Last I saw John he was "retiring" into a volunteer position with the SO/Unified. Sheriff Winder expressed how highly he thought of John. There are so many of us who agreed then and still to this day.
When it was necessary for us to "borrow" a K-9 from either the SO or WV, many times we'd see John show up to help his city neighbors who at the time were "dogless".
John was always glad to help and it was a comfort to see him roll up on calls. It is unfortunate that we end up going our separate ways and then sometimes our paths do cross again and memories are renewed.
Thank you and the family for sharing him with us from time to time.
God bless and comfort you all.
Doug and Barbara Roberts
April 18, 2019
John your passing is so surreal to us. You fought this latest battle with such fight and courage . . never giving up. It seems you were always the one here for us when we had issues. We hope we have been as good of friends to you as you have been to us.
We will miss the fun times we had with you and Jo. All the trips to Wendover, our vacation together and all the dinners with shared with you and Jo. You have been a special person in our lives and we have an emptiness now that will take a while to mend.
You have been a brother to Doug that he never had. He will truly miss you, as will I.
Jo, know that we will always be there for you and your family, and that you are now part of our family. As you, Paul and Eric grieve for John, we are here for all of you to help mend those broken hearts. Rely on us for strength whenever you need it.
We love you John, and we love your family. We will be there always for them. You are a "Giant" of a man in life and we know you are now in the heavens.
April 18, 2019
I'm so sorry for your loss, losing a loved one is never easy, may the promise found at John 6:40 comfort your hearts during this difficult time.
April 18, 2019
Please accept my sincere condolences.
May the family find comfort in one another as you look to the beautiful promise at John 6:39, 40.
GAndino
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