Larry Barker

Barker Larry Dale Barker was born in Madison, West Virginia on May 28, 1950. He was married to his beloved Faith A. (Smith) Barker on April 20, 1974. He was a distinguished rehabilitation specialist case manager with the State of Ohio's Bureau of Workman's Compensation Industrial Commission for nearly thirty years. Over that time, he worked extensively to help people return to work and better their lives. He settled in Croton, Ohio where he raised his family, son Jamie Barker and daughter Julie (Barker) Miller. He was an avid Mountaineer and Buckeye fan, and he loved his Columbus Blue Jackets. Much of his retirement was spent in the backyard working on his "projects" with many a loving dog nearby and eager to help. He was preceded in his passing by his father Leon Barker, his mother Hazel (Dent) Barker, and his brothers Glen and Gene. He left behind his sisters, Gracelene (Barker) McLaughlin (husband Scott) and Darith Diane Kocher; as well as brothers, Rodney (wife Christy), Jerry, and Johnny. He also leaves behind a sister-in-law, Joy (Smith) Wonders and her husband, Cletus; as well as a brother-in-law, Larry Smith and wife, Janet. He will be very sorely missed by a wealth of nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind a son-in-law, David Miller, who was the only man he ever approved of with his daughter. He was a member of the Circleville Church of Christ and the Pataskala Church of Christ. He was a man who could never be told what to do and would do things his way whether you liked it or not. Although this would at times get his in trouble, he, indeed, did things his way. He was a survivor of Polio; he worked many, many years, often in pain, and he did so quite passionately for those who were his charges. Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at CROUSE-KAUBER-SAMMONS FUNERAL HOME, 225 N. Main St., Johnstown, OH 43031. Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home with Bill Hopkins officiating. Interment will follow at Hartford Cemetery.