Randolph Kent Barker

From tragic beginnings to a victorious ending, Randolph Kent Barker was a man of determination. Randy was born into a harrowing situation on April 4th, 1960, with his father dying in a car accident while his mother was in her seventh month of pregnancy with him. His mother, the deceased Eve Ostrander was a young bride to his father, Warren Kent Barker.

Even though Randy set out in life under trying circumstances while being raised in Chula Vista, CA, he was known for his silliness and ability to make others laugh. And, he was equally known for doggedly pursuing his goals. At age 17, he gained his private pilot’s license at Brown Field in Otay Mesa. To accomplish this, at 15 he decided to forego high school athletics at Chula Vista High School, at which he excelled, to instead earn money for ground school and flight lessons. So, he started working at a restaurant, pulling weeds from the parking lot. And finally as the most efficient line cook in that same busy seafood restaurant where his character traits of humor and focus, were front and center. They carried Randy through his aviation career, and life as a husband to Denise R. Bennett Barker, and father to Chenoa K. Barker-Charles and Randolph K. Barker, II.

Most people can look back on accolades and accomplishments and know which of them is a favorite. Randy would tell you that his three Commander of the Year Awards were his prized professional achievements. Awarded to the outstanding squadron officer for leadership while in operational military theaters, these awards were presented with notes of Randy’s secure and precise command of challenging situations, punctuated with deft humor, “You had no doubt that he was in command, that it was going to happen according to his instructions but, he’d have you laughing come the end.” In addition to Randy’s US Air Force career, he flew for United Airlines, Gulfstream Aerospace, MacNeil Aviation (WeatherTech), and FNF Aviation. Randy graduated from National University’s initial Bachelor of Science program for Airway Science.

His personal life echoed these same truths of his personality. With his professional desires flourishing, Randy set out for fun, and speed, on dirt bike motorcycles, street motorcycles, tennis, rollerblading and self-assigned DIY landscape extravaganzas! His mother often quipped, “He was always such a busy boy! He never sat still!” And the accolades continued there.

Of special note, worthy of an award, was Randy’s determination to get home from multi-day airline pilot trips. Like many airline crew members, his work day usually concluded in an airport far from home and the task of linking flights home would begin. On many occasions his adventures home looked like a scene from the movie, Planes, Trains and Automobiles! A lesser man would have overnighted and tried the next day. Calm resolve brought him home to his family in a timely manner each time. And returns from deployments were treasured.

It must be said that Randy returned to his beloved US Air Force at age 50, under special designation for particular mission support.

He was deeply proud of his military service and of his mental and physical ability to fulfill that demanding mission support.

So regarding returns from deployments, his only request of those particular homecomings was concentrated family time. He loved the family meals, movie nights and being fully present for Chenoa and RK’s activities.

Therefore, here is our only heartache in Randy’s Younger Onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis, that his grandchildren won’t know his fun and silliness and determination in this life. But for our confidence in the promise of Heaven granted by name of our Savior, Christ Jesus, we would be overwhelmed with grief. But we are not! We understand how to keep the joys of his earthly life vibrant among us. We have absolute faith in living fully new and improved lives in the New Heaven and Earth!

Until that time, we laugh, we’re a bit more silly and we live with greater determination to cherish and protect time at home with family, as Randy exemplified, connecting his flights home—to a life well lived! Praise God!

Additionally, Randy is survived his stepfather, Mr. Raymond Leebolt and half-sister, Joanne Ely, both of Santee, CA.