Daniel Dean Barker

Daniel Dean Barker, youngest son of Dorothy Dean and John Curtis Barker, died in his home July 20, 2011 of kidney failure. Born March 7, 1940 in Chetopa, Kansas, Dan was of Native American Indian heritage. His father, a Delaware Indian, was born in Oklahoma Indian territory, and his mother was half Cherokee.

In 1959 Dan hitch-hiked to California where he resided, in Garden Grove, for his 52 remaining years. He is survived by one son Michael Curtis Barker and one grandson Michael Dean Barker, both of Garden Grove. Dan was also survived by his former marriage partner Sharon Howe Barker-Pugh, eight nieces and four nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, and by his siblings, sister Pat Davis and brother Jerry Barker.

After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army, Dan worked for Hughes Aircraft, Fullerton as a Technical Publications Editor. He was retired at the of age 28 due to complications as a result of a stroke.

Dan was an active volunteer. He served at district and regional levels for Little League Baseball. He was a member of the Garden Grove Elks for 24 years. His volunteerism extended to teaching billiards at the Garden Grove Boys & Girls Club as well as in his own home.

His door was always open and the coffee was hot and ready for anyone who wished to stop by and visit. Dan enjoyed playing pool, cards, cribbage, golf, fishing and darts. His honesty, caring and genuine concern earned him many friends.

A memorial to Dan's life will be held at the Garden Grove Elks Club, 11551 Trask Ave. Friday, July 29th at 1:00pm. His cremains will be scattered in the area where he lived as a child.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a contribution be given, in memory of Dan, to the Garden Grove Elks Lodge #1952 to help support their many good works.