Glen Barker

Glen Barker passed from this life on January 15, 2026, after a long and prosperous life of 92½ years. Glen is preceded in death by his parents John and Grace (Collier) Barker, wives Charlotte Duffield and Mildred Jean Hill (mother of his children), and sister Quintina. Survivors include Glen’s children, Cheryl Jenkins, Rebecca Inscore and James Barker (Tammy). Grandchildren: Kelly Leigh, Marilyn Herring (Chris), Miranda Rowland (Stephen), and Terry Inscore, II (Sidney). Great grandchildren: Kelly Keyona Leigh, Trinity Ariella Leigh, Rosa Lee Leigh, Finley Rowland, and Gregory Rowland. Great Great grandchildren: Mariana Donnberg, Marbella Donnberg, and Maylia Donnberg.

A child of The Great Depression, Glen was born July 13, 1933, in Ironton, Ohio. Raised on a farm, it wasn’t long before he completed the 9th grade and left high school to join the army in 1950. Entering on July 15, 1950, Glen spent three years serving during the Korean War. Each day, Glen served as a cook to hundreds of men, providing three well rounded nourishing meals. At the time of his passing, he still spoke of his chef days as if he would go in the kitchen and whip you up some pancakes and eggs, if you only said the word. Glen left the army a well decorated veteran after receiving an honorable discharge on July 14, 1953.

It was in a foxhole with bullets flying overhead that he told the Lord, “If you will get me out of here alive, I’ll live for You the rest of my days.” He was the only one from his army platoon who came home alive.

While he was by no means a perfect man, he held to his promise. Glen was baptized in Jesus Name on Feb 2, 1953, and received the Holy Ghost Feb 12, 1953. Glen raised his family attending church, teaching Bible studies, starting churches, supporting missions and being ordained July 23, 1982. Glen did not miss church and even attended the Sunday before he passed away.

Outside of church, and after the army and starting a family, Glen began to make a career for himself by learning the world of HVAC. From there, he began to dabble in building houses. It wasn’t long before Glen was drawing his own plans and building the homes from the ground up. He knew plumbing, electrical, roofing and all, inside out and did all the work himself except for when he conned his wife onto roofs to help with shingles!

Glen learned not only building the house was profitable, but much like the land business, if you carry someone’s mortgage, and they pay you a monthly payment, you can set yourself up for a life of ease. Not bad for a 9th grade dropout who would later earn his GED at the age of 41.

Glen was a master woodworker and could build anything he set his mind to. Beautiful hope chest were easy, but mantle clocks and grandfather clocks became his thing. The intricate details became something he was quite passionate about and his family treasures the one they have today. Glen was once selling grandfather clocks all over Tennessee, including at the amusement park, Dollywood.

After living in Tennessee for the majority of his adult life, at 89, Glen decided Arkansas and FPCNLR would be his new home. The bulk of his family was here, and he had attended Arkansas International Camp meeting for years, having already fallen in love with the church and ministry long before.

One thing Glen did right is he taught his family the importance of church attendance, praying all hours of the night and day, loving God, missions and ministry. As a church planter himself, Glen was amazed at the incredible things God continued to do at FPCNLR, most definitely looking forward to what was to come across the freeway.

Glen loved to socialize and tell a good story, usually telling you one you’d already heard. The family would love to carry on the tradition and will be receiving guests at the First Pentecostal Church of North Little Rock chapel on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 10:00AM, with the funeral service to follow at 11:00AM. Burial will be the following day at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 10:00AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Build on the Rock Building Fund at First Pentecostal Church.

Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St. North Little Rock, AR  72114.  501-758-1170.