BARKER, Donald Wayne 1946-2017

BARKER, WHEELER, WILSON

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 5/28/2017 at 11:40:02

Donald Wayne “Don” Barker was born on October 23, 1946, in Volga, Iowa, the son of Donald Leroy and Sylvia (Wheeler) Barker. He graduated from Oelwein High School in 1966. Don then attended Emporia Teacher’s College in Kansas where he studied teaching and coaching and was on the wrestling team.

On September 9, 1967, Don was united in marriage to June Wilson at the Christian Church in Greensburg, Kansas. The couple made their home in Oelwein from 1967 to 1969, when Don became a police officer for the Oelwein Police Department.

In 1969, they moved to Waterloo where Don worked with the Waterloo Police Department until his retirement in 1990. He also started Cobra Investigations and had the business for over ten years. Don was a Blackbelt in Karate and taught Karate in his martial arts studio. He was a member of the NRA, Elks Club, Waterloo Police Association, and worked with the Waterloo Police Bomb Squad. Don enjoyed shooting guns, camping, going to coffee with his friends, and spending time with his family, especially his grandkids. He was the oldest of 13 children and loved being a big brother.

Don died at the age of 70 on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, Allen Hospital in Waterloo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother in infancy, Jeffery; a brother, Timothy Barker; and a sister, Patricia Wagner.

Don is survived by his wife, June of Waterloo; two daughters, Kim (Jammie) Howard of Buckingham and Christie (Brett) Sapp of Waterloo; six grandchildren, Taylor (Mary) and Madison Howard, and Brittani, Lexi, Jordyn, and Caysie Sapp; two great-grandchildren, Eva and Demi Sapp; ten siblings, Kenneth (Lorna) Barker of Oelwein, Monte (Sue) Barker of Hazleton, David (Annette) Barker of Oelwein, Judith Barker of Oelwein, Pam (Todd) Walters of Oelwein, Bryan (Sherry) Barker of Nevada, Iowa, Bruce (Debbie) Barker of Gypsom, Colorado, Hal (Joelyn) Barker of Oelwein, Bobbi (Sherrie) Barker of Canton, Georgia, and Cindy (Alan Young) Walters of Waterloo; and numerous special friends, especially, Craig Schmidt.

Burial will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Waterloo.

Source: Parrott and Wood Funeral Home website