-Brad Barker
There are not enough words to describe Brad Barker. Brad Barker loved life and loved people. He loved every day.
He and his twin brother Brent were born in Idaho Falls, Idaho in 1964 and the town has never quite recovered. The family moved to San Diego, California then to Whidbey Island, Washington then settled in Salt Lake City, Utah when the twins were still young. He spent his life marching to the beat of his own drummer, actually marching to the beat of the music that was forever playing in his head. He had long hair in the early 70’s much to his parents’ disgrace and short hair in the late 70’s when everyone around him, including his own twin brother, was listening to heavy metal and growing their hair as long as possible. At 16 he quit school, got his GED, and headed back to Idaho Falls to live with his grandparents in order to attend beauty school. He got his cosmetology license and started cutting hair. He hated it, quit, and moved back to Salt Lake City. And that was just the beginning.
He was intensely passionate about music and horror movies. He loved his wife and his dogs above all else. He made friends wherever he went and loved every last one of them with every fiber of his being. His friends were his family and his family was HUGE - too numerous to count. Once you became his friend you were his friend forever. He touched the hearts of everyone he encountered. He was caring and kind and his heart was bigger than he was.
He was a member of the Salt Lake punk rock scene from his early teens. One day he saw a Boomtown Rats video and the very next day cut his hair, dyed it purple, and showed up at school, shocking everyone. He said goodbye to the Kiss Army and heavy metal and began his journey into the underground music scene, but not exclusively. His taste in music ran from Abba, Meatloaf, and Cheap Trick to Poison Idea, X, The Damned, and Husker Dü to crazy Japanese hardcore and EVERYTHING in between. He and his best friend Kelley Evans were the founding members of Victims Willing. Brad also played in Anger Overload, Hair Farm, Knowitall, and Has Beens. He was larger than life on stage as well as in person. He ran his own record label, Flatline Records, with his wife Vickie. Flatline put out singles for many local Utah bands. He hosted Behind the Zion Curtain on KRCL for a bit and introduced his listeners to his eclectic taste in punk rock. He lived for all things music.
Thanks to his uncle Lloyd he loved all living things, but he was a dog person through and through. He never trusted anyone who didn’t like dogs. He believed that life would not be worth living without four-legged friends.
Brad was a fan of horror movies from a very young age. The story goes, however, that Jaws scared him so badly that he had to leave the theater - he was only 11 at the time. He would watch any horror movie ever made, good or bad. He would argue to the death that 70's horror flicks were the best and that no one has ever made anything comparable since. He must have watched movies like the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), Phantasm (1979), The Evil Dead (1981), and Basket Case (1982) a hundred times each.
He later became passionate about art and graphic design. He went to SLCC and earned a degree in graphic design. He dabbled in photography but mostly loved to paint as well as create digital art. He turned his creativity into his own business, Pin Pricked Pins, and made thousands and thousands of pins for people over the last many years.
Brad Barker will be missed by everyone who knew him. He has left a chasm in this world that can never be filled. He was selfless and humble and we are all better for having known him. He truly was one of a kind. We will miss his smile and his laugh and all of him, but rest assured that he has gone to where the music never ends. Hold the memory of him close to your heart and to honor him, sing along to your favorite punk rock song at the top of your lungs like no one is listening.
Brad L. Barker passed away on February 4, 2023 at the age of 58 in West Valley City, Utah. He was born on October 9, 1964 to Barbara (Turner) Barker Ostermiller and Lynn C Barker. He attended Cottonwood High School and Salt Lake Community College. On April 15, 1987 he married Vickie Gill and they moved to Fullerton, California where they were able to see the most amazing punk rock shows and the ocean for the first time. A year and a half later, after running out of money they returned to Salt Lake and never left.
Brad is survived by his wife Vickie (Gill) Barker, mother Barbara (Turner) Barker Ostermiller, step-father John Ostermiller, brother Curtis Lee Barker, sister Kimberly Lynnette Barker, step-sister Crystal (Ostermiller) Allen, and ten nieces and nephews: Jessica Marie (Barker) Hanson, Emily Herman, Thomas Barker, Kaylee Barker, Mason John Barker, Avery Elizabeth Barker, Kealey Ann Gill, Greysen Finley Gill, Ashlein Amelia Gill, and Cecily Rose Gill. He was preceded in death by grandparents Lloyd and Glenda Barker, father Lynn C Barker, brothers Brent Lynn Barker and Richard Neil Barker, niece Haven Sioux Gill, and niece Iva Herman.
In lieu of flowers please send a donation to your local animal shelter or adopt a dog from one.
A celebration of life will be held on April 1, 2023 from 5:00 – 9:00 PM at McGillis School 668 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City, UT. Dress is casual. Please come as you are…as Brad knew and loved you.
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