Charles Vernon Barker

Charles Vernon Barker Sr. was born in Kennett, California November 10, 1926. He grew up in Oakland and as soon as he graduated from high school he enlisted in the Navy. In the Navy, he served as an Aviation Ordinance Man, Third Class. When WWII ended, he went to college and earned a B.A. and his teaching accreditation. After teaching in California, he moved his family to Washington, teaching in Bremerton and then in Seattle. During the summer he would work as a commercial gill-net fisherman, salmon fishing in Alaska and in the Puget Sound. Eventually he retired from teaching and bought his own boat, named the "Shasta County."

Retired from fishing and with his children grown, Charles was once again free to explore the world with his wife, Alice. They traveled across the United States and Canada as well as abroad to China, New Zealand, Australia, and Ireland. During his retirement, Charles also had more time to pursue his life-long passion for art. He sketched and painted avidly. He also wrote - usually producing two or more literary offering per year.

In October of 2009, Charles was diagnosed with late-stage brain cancer and he passed away on November 18th.

Charles is survived by his beloved wife Alice; sons, Andrew and Charles Jr.; daughters, Kathleen and Suzanne; nephews, Roland and Paul; cousin Tony and family; sons-in-law Bryan, Jim, and Dennis; daughters-in-law, Lynn, Paula, and Christina; nieces-in-laws Gerda and Lisa; grandchildren, Emily, Joshua, Shane, Ben, Sarah, Elena, Jane, Alice, Michael, and Logan; grand niece and nephew, Ursula and Gordon; and his great grandchildren, Coby, Holly, Janie, and Johanna.

A celebration of Charles Vernon Barker's life and reception will be held on Sunday, November 29th at 3:00 p.m. in the Evergreen-Washelli Chapel.