Duane Barker

1931 - 2022

Duane Barker
March 20, 1931 - January 21, 2022
Fresno, California - Duane was born March 20, 1931, to Marshall and Harriet Barker in Berkeley, CA. His parents met at UC Berkeley and married after their graduation. Duane was three months old when the family moved to Fresno. He had an older brother, Berton and has a younger sister, Betsey. Duane was the epitome of the middle child and enjoyed every minute of it. Duane never met a stranger and loved people and his family. He graduated from Roosevelt High School and then graduated from Fresno State in1953 where he received his BA and later his M.Ed. He was a charter member of the local Sigma Nu fraternity and was active in Blue Key. Duane and his first wife Peggy Coughran married in college and had a son Bradley Duane Barker and daughter Betsy Irene Barker. Duane was in the California National Guard and took pride that he was a tank instructor.
Duane worked for several years selling life insurance for Banker's Life of Nebraska before starting his 33 year career as an educator/administer for Clovis Unified School District, where he had many wonderful friends. He taught 7th and 8th grade social studies and then became a math resource teacher. His last 18 years he was the Public Information Officer and Coordinator of Instruction for Clovis Unified School District, retiring in 1991. For 23 years he was the "voice" of the Clovis High School Marching Band at the Friday night football games, traveling with them to Washington DC in 1981 when they performed at President Ronald Reagan's inauguration, and also announcing the band at the SF 49ers game half time show. He took pride in the fact that he researched every student's name and how to pronounce it correctly. At Duane's 50th birthday celebration the Clovis High Band marched into the banquet room playing the William Tell Overture, one of his favorites. After his retirement he worked for Pete Mehas at the County Office of Education. Duane was very involved in many philanthropic groups over the years including the Masons, 20-30 Club, Clovis Exchange Club, Clovis Historical Society, CalSPRA, on the board of Woodward Lake Association for several years, and was on the Fresno County Grand Jury for two years. He was a volunteer at St. Agnes Hospital for 15 years in the cardiac unit.
He and his wife Linda married in 1975 and were together for 46 years. They enjoyed raising their daughter Samantha and traveling to many places around the world. They sold their home in Clovis and traveled around Europe visiting 28 different countries for a year in 1993-1994. He was always up for adventure, rafting the Grand Canyon, hiking to the top of Half Dome at age 59, skydiving for the first time for his 60th birthday, and he even went to Kauai this past summer at 90 years old with his family. His last overnight trip was to see his grandson Justice play a college basketball game in December. He and Linda were members of the Fresno Unitarian Universalist Church. Duane and Linda played pinochle monthly with dear friends for 43 years,
Duane leaves behind his wife Linda, son Bradley Duane Barker and wife Monica of Modesto, daughter Betsy Irene Benavidez and husband Roy of Clovis, and daughter Samantha Cole and husband Jervis of Fresno. Duane leaves three grandchildren, Desiree Benavidez, Justice Cole, and Mia Cole, along with his sister Betsey and brother-in-law Robert Clopine of San Diego, nephews Alan Clopine, Rich Clopine, Todd Clopine, James Barker, and niece Dana Sullivan. He had many great nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank Nancy Hinds Hospice of Fresno for their exemplary, compassionate home care these last few months.
A joyful Celebration of Life will be held at Belmont Country Club, 8253 E. Belmont Ave., at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 5th.
In lieu of flowers or donations please call a friend and tell them you love them.