Jerry C. Barker

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Jerry Barker Obituary

Jerry C. Barker
Jerry C. Barker, age 93, passed away peacefully on Aug. 31, 2008, at his home in Ashland, Ore. Jerry was born on March 11, 1915, in Spokane, Wash., to Ervin J. and Alice Barker, who preceded him in death. He earned a degree in engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, then married Elizabeth Ramage of Spokane, Wash., in 1937. They had two daughters, Janet and Kathleen.
After moving to Seattle, Wash., in 1949, Jerry went to work at Boeing. During this time he was a crew member on the unlimited hydroplanes, Slo-Mo IV and Slo-Mo V, for the Gold Cup and Seattle Seafair races. After Boeing, he went on to form the first Volkswagen distributorship in the Northwest. He loved boat and car racing, and owned a Ferrari that broke world records.
Jerry is preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth, and his brother, Lawrence. He is survived by his daughters, Janet Gregory (Talent, Ore.), and Kathleen Barker (Myrtle Beach, S.C.); son-in-law, Dan Gregory; grandchildren, Michelle Woollard, and husband, Todd (Talent, Ore.); Raoul Said, and wife, Maureen (Snohomish, Wash.), Ryan Gregory (Orlando, Fla.); great grandchildren, Rachel Woollard, Ben Woollard, Charles Said and Adam Said.
Jerry was an accomplished man far beyond what he would ever talk about. He was kind, soft-spoken and respectful to everyone he met. He is greatly loved and missed by his family.

Published by Mail Tribune on Sep. 6, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Jerry Barker

1 Entry

danni trotter

September 6, 2008

Jerry will be greatly missed by all.He always made me[one of his med aides] & my daughter KT[his housekeeper]smile.We'll miss you Jerry bear
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
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