Gregory James Barker

Greg Barker was born in Minnesota on January 20, 1941. He was the 3rd son of 9 children born to Anna and Stacy Barker. At 6 years old he sold newspapers in Brawley, Arizona accompanied by his older brother and life long friend Bob. When his family moved from the dessert to San Diego, Greg, not yet even a teenager, got a job at a body and paint shop sweeping the lots, soon after he was painting the cars and recovering the seats.

When Elvis went into the Army, Greg and his friend Bruce Burkette jointed too. He was then sent to Germany and oversaw the Hawk Missile Sight. While on duty he stated, “Kennedy wasn't fooling around!”. Greg was one of the few that had the honor and the responsibility to press a button. “Thank God”, he said “that the Cuban Missile Crisis ended quickly and he never had to!” Once out of the army he met and married Pamela Rose Barker, 4 sons; Tom, Jim, Tim and Glenn and beautiful daughter Bridget followed. Much much later all the children married and soon after grandchildren started to arrive, 9 granddaughters and 7 grandsons in all. Greg was also blessed with 4 wonderful daughters-in-law and a brilliant son-in-law. Because of him we were always blessed and happy.

Greg worked hard as a self-employed business man. Owning and fully operating Barmac seating and Upholstery for over 40 years. He was incredibly hard working, always wanting his customers to get quality work at a fair price. “He would never be rich “he’d say “but God always takes care of our needs”. For many years Greg was a member of the Upholsterers and Decorators Association and a Rotarian. Additionally, he was a member of the Business Association in Casa De Oro for which he gleaned much of his business expertise. He was even on a bowling team! Though he thoroughly enjoyed all these opportunities, he would say later that his one regret was that he had not joined the Knights of Columbus when he was a young man.

Greg was a member of St Pius X in Jamul, he was a regular fixture during mass as he often had the liturgical responsibility to read the Scripture to the congregation for that days' service. In fact Greg's greatest gift to those he loved and those he meet was to share Christ love with him. He so often emulated Jesus, not just in word, but in deed as well. He did so not out of some religious requirement but because of his firm belief in the generosity and Love God had bestowed upon him. He called him self a ”saved by grace Catholic” but was comfortable practicing his faith in Christ in any Christian church regardless of denomination. Greg read the bible daily and he knew it well, he practiced its teachings and imitated its blessings. He was a well respected and admired man by his family, his friends and his community. He will truly be missed!