Jack Barker (1938-2021)

BARKER, MILLER, KLOPENSTEIN, GUENTHER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 11/30/2021 at 07:21:27

Jack Barker, 83, of Marion, Iowa, died peacefully on Sunday, November 28, 2021, after a long journey at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy. Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2021, at the funeral home.

Jack was born on March 13, 1938, in Ames, Iowa, the son of Mary G. (Miller) and Rolla A. Barker. He grew up on a farm near Springville, Iowa, where he graduated High School ad went on to attend Coe College. He served in the Army Reserve from 1959 until 1965, with a rack of Staff Sargent. He met his wife, Doris, at the 4th of July Celebration in Whittier, Iowa. They married in June of 1960 and to their union three children were born, Cheryl, Molly, and Jeff.

Jack worked at Collins Radio for nine years starting as an inventory clerk and left as a supervisor of 100 people and was instrumental in changing IBM punch cards to computer generated information. In 1966 he was recruited by Amana Refrigeration to set up their computer system for their warehouse, which eliminated yearly inventory. He retired as the Service Parts Material Manager with 31 years of service. He Groomed many for higher positions in the world of business. His love for sports had him coaching his children in their sports, filming Marion High School football for 15 years as well as being active in Booster Club, a referee for High School boys’ and girls’ basketball and district finals.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and served as an Elder, Deacon, and Chairman of the ushers. His wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were his pride and joy. He loved supporting them in all their activities. Upon retirement traveling, bowling, gold and tractor cade filled his days. Jack was well liked by all and always had a joke or story to tell. Jack will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Jack is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 61 years, Doris of Marion; children, Cheryl (Mark) Klopfenstein of Marion, Molly Barker of Chandler, Arizona, and Jeff Barker of West Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren, Jaclyn (Jeremy) Allen, Jake (Megan) Klopfenstein, Kayla (Jake) Guenther, Jack Barker, Danny Barker; and great-grandchildren, Ace, Cy, Bella and Josiah.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Rolla; and brother, William Barker.