Joseph Closs Barker Jr.

Closs was a respected businessman managing the family business in New Bern for over 70 years. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was awarded the Silver Beaver Award for life-long service to the Boy Scouts of America. He was past Chairman of the Board of Craven Regional Medical Center, an Elder Emeritus and Sunday School teacher at Broad Street Christian Church, a Free Mason of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, a Shriner, and served in the United States Navy. Closs was a mechanical engineering graduate of North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Jean Horner Barker and his parents, Joseph Closs Barker, Sr. and Nonie Benton Barker.

Closs was a proud father and is survived by two daughters, Sallie B. Szymczyk and her husband, Stephen, of Oriental, and Patricia D. Barker of Raleigh; two sons, Joseph C. Barker, III and his wife, Marianne, of Trent Woods, and Daniel T. Barker of Raleigh; six grandchildren, Mary Katherine Azamar and her husband Ivan, Aaron T. McCaffity and his wife Suzanne, J. Closs Barker IV, Madison L. Barker, D. Thomas Barker and Isabelle L. Barker; and two great-granddaughters, Kiara and Kinslee, one great-grandson, Blake.

A private family ceremony was held on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Greenleaf Memorial Cemetery where he was buried beside his wife, Jean Horner Barker.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Masonic Home for Children (in honor of Nonie Barker) 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565 or BSA Troop 13, in care of Centenary United Methodist Church, Post Office Box 1388, New Bern, NC 28563 (in honor of Joseph C. Barker, Jr.).

Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of Joseph Closs Barker Jr.