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Donald Barker Obituary
Services will be held on Saturday, August 11, at 2 p.m. at Muldoon Community Assembly, with visitation at 1 p.m. A private burial will follow at Fort Richardson.
Don was born Sept. 27, 1939, in Los Angeles, California, graduated in 1958 from La Puente High School, and joined the U.S. Army, which brought him to Alaska in 1967. He married I. Ruth Thieme on June 7, 1969, and started a family. He became a staff sergeant in the Army, and after serving tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam, was honorably discharged after nine years of service. Afterward, he worked for the Alaska Railroad, from which he retired after thirty years.
In retirement, Don enjoyed fishing, camping, woodworking, photography, traveling with his family, and playing with his great-grandchildren. He spent countless hours volunteering as a greeter at church and at the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau, where he was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2008.
His family wrote: "Don was entirely devoted to his family, loved the children that surrounded him, was proudly patriotic, and had an unwavering faith in God. He was a strong patriarch who mentored, guided, and loved us all. His kind and loving spirit will be sorely missed, and his loss leaves a void in all our lives. We were truly blessed to share life with such a beautiful soul and will always remember him in our hearts."
Don is survived by his loving wife, Ruth; daughters, Patricia and Deborah; grandchildren, Timothy (and Savana) Barker and Deborah (and Jonathan) Kasgnoc; six great-grandchildren; and three siblings, David, Johnnie, and Shirley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil Barker and Naomi Garrett; stepmother, Ginny Jolly; and two brothers, Rusty and Allen.
Funeral arrangements were made by Kehl's Legacy Funeral Home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Joshua K
November 17, 2024
From what I can remember from when I was little, you always loved us (your great grandchildren), always gave me a root beer when mom didn´t want me to have one, I always watched scooby doo in your room, or sat on your lap, and I remember the bees you made, going ice fishing with you with the light up pole you got me, and I remember helping you paint the garage floor. Evie wasn´t able to meet you sadly, but I know she and my other siblings will meet you in heaven one day. Love you. -Joshua
Liam barker
August 7, 2024
Dear peepaw I´m going to see your grave today my first time!!
I´m doing great as well as my bestie Hannah and my parents and siblings and cousins. I´m no longer close with meemaw and my grandmother but I will allways hold them and you in my heart deep down. See you late peepaw
Liam Barker
June 27, 2024
I´m happy that your my great grandpa but sad I didn´t get to meet you. But just know that we´re doing great Meemaw´s okay! And your daughters and grandchildren Josh Brayden Jack Kristin Hannah Liam/me and Evie! We love you! Fly high
Hannah
January 15, 2024
I love you so very much! I will never stop thinking about you.every day I wish you were still here
,if only I was no one when I. Had so say good bye .i love you with all my hart Peepaw and some day I hope to see you too!! Love you very very much peepaw.
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Deborah Kasgnoc
August 3, 2023
Love and miss you so much Peepaw, thinking of you every day.
Hannah kasgnoc
March 24, 2022
I love you so much,peepaw
- Hannah kasgnoc
Savana Barker
September 8, 2012
Miss you more and more each day
Patty
September 4, 2012
Dad, thanks so much for being you. I love you, and I miss you more than words can say. I look forward to seeing you again someday...save a place for me.
Barbara Roberts
August 18, 2012
Ruth, I just looked this up to find out more about Don. I am sorry that I couldn't come to his service. He was truly an awesome & special man. You could tell he liked volunteering at the visitor center so much! He was fun to work with. I miss him. He left big shoes to fill. I hope you are doing ok. We'll see him again! love, Barb Roberts
Dana & Dawn Godfrey
August 16, 2012
Ruth and Family, We were so sad to read of Don's passing but know he has gone to a better place. So enjoyed working with Don. He was one of the good guys. Still remember the wonderful dinner you served us.
Kim (Barker) Boyken
August 12, 2012
UNCLE SONNY,
That is what I will always remember,
Your bravery and your love
That caring wise and watchful eye
Which now peers at us from above. I will always remember loving when you came to visit, then I became an adult and had the wonderful treasure of being with you again, I will truly miss you, but know that your in God's warm gentle hands, where you feel sunshine and happiness..
To aunt Ruth & Family, I am so sorry for your loss and will be looking foward to cherishing Uncle Sonnys life with you..
Donna Holtzman
August 11, 2012
Ruth -
Even though we are stateside, we feel the loss of Don greatly. He was such a special man to our family. Words can only express so much. We know he is no longer in pain and celebrating with Jesus. Prayers for you and the family.
Iris Moore
August 11, 2012
Dear Ruth and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. But how wonderful to know that Don is now sitting at the feet of Jesus!
Don will be missed by everyone who was greeted by his warm handshake and joyful smile at church. What a blessing he was to us!
Tom and Iris Moore
Leah Prince
August 11, 2012
Thank you for always being a kind and generous soul. You were wonderful to talk to.
Rachel TEVASEU
August 10, 2012
My kids and I will miss seeing your smiling face at church...thank you for your friendship...until we meet again.
Love, the Tevaseu's
Greg/Amy Keffer
August 10, 2012
Dear Ruth and family,
Greg and I want to give you our love and prayers. Don was very special to our family and especially little Cheree. He will be greatly missed. We will continue to pray for you. Much love from the Keffers.
Linda Jobe
August 10, 2012
Ruth and Family:
I was so saddened by seeing that Don had passed away. But I can rejoice knowing that he really loved the Lord. I will truly miss seeing him every Wednesday night. He was always so kind and thoughtful when he talked with me at church. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
August 10, 2012
Ruth and Family - Love and prayers for the family. Don will be missed by all of us in so many ways. God will give you strength each and every day.
Vedra Bechtol
August 9, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are sent your way. God bless.
August 9, 2012
Ruth and Family, May God be with you and grant you peace during this most difficult time. Cousin Tammy
Margaret Prince
August 9, 2012
Patty and Family,
I was so sorry to see this today. My prayers go out to your family. Your dad, husband, grandpa, great grandpa was a wonderful guy. He was always up for an adventure (with Patty and all her friends) bingo, Christmas White Elephant parties and any other activity that was going on. I think he enjoyed being the only guy....with all those women! Know that my thoughts are with all of you in this time of sorrow.
Willow
August 9, 2012
Don was indeed a very nice, wonderful man and we at the ARR remember him fondly. He sure loved to talk about his family and grandchildren!
Mary Wolcoff
August 9, 2012
Ruth, Debbie and family,
I was so sad to hear of Don's passing but I know he is having the best time in Heaven and one day we will all be "Home". Your family is dear to our family and we want you to know we are praying for you all. Psalms 46:1
Raini & Rob Cacy
August 9, 2012
Don was a great guy. We both enjoyed working with him at the ARRC and will miss him. Sincere regrets that we will be unable to travel to his services from our home in Sequim, WA...Raini & Rob Cacy
August 9, 2012
I know he raised a lovely daughter who I am honored to be able to call "my friend", Patty. My heartfelt condolences to all his family.
Jennifer Sullivan
Virginia Hudson
August 9, 2012
Ruth and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Don. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
August 9, 2012
Ruth, Patti, Debbie & family
Praying for you thru this time. Don was an awesome friend. I am sure he is sitting at Jesus feet with his pop next to him.
Love Jim & Denise Hardy
Masha Hughton
August 9, 2012
One of the sweetest men I ever knew. I'll miss his warm handshake on Sunday mornings.
Tommy & Barbara Davis
August 9, 2012
We miss his smile a the door every time we go to Church. We also knew him from his working with our kids at the Alaska Railroad. He presented our twin Grandsons with a Bible when they were just toddlers, and said that he was praying for them. He touched our hearts in many ways. God be with you Ruth and family.
August 9, 2012
God bless you all and I love you all.
LIZ
greg willhoit
August 9, 2012
Ruth and family
Are prayes are with you at this time.
Greg Julie & Frankie Willhoit
Ray Craig
August 8, 2012
Peepaw was always good to be around....Such a great man...My family sends there condolences to everyone of you....Gonna miss him
Fred Downs
August 8, 2012
Thanks for your friendship, Don.
Deborah Kasgnoc
August 8, 2012
I love you Peepaw! Your the best Grandpa ever. I will miss you so much but I know you are in heaven and in my heart.
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11621 Old Seward Highway, Anchorage, AK 99515
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