Gary Lynn Barker

Gary Lynn Barker, 86, of Lubbock, TX, entered into the presence of God on July 6, 2026, following a 20-month battle with lung disease. His family and friends will miss his humor, joy, kindness, and love.

Gary Barker was born in Turkey, Texas to Edwin and Violet Barker. He grew up on a farm that bordered Hale and Floyd Counties, learning farm chores and operating the tractor at a young age. The first in his family to attend college, he graduated from Plainview High School (1958), Texas Tech University (BS 1963) and Ohio State University (MS 1964). His field of study was agricultural engineering, and he began working for the USDA-Agricultural Research Service of Stoneville, MS in 1964. He married Elizabeth Smith on June 5, 1965 in Farmville, VA; he and Liz began their family in Mississippi.

In his 38-year career with the USDA, Gary researched cotton production and mechanization, contributing to the improvement of cotton harvesting. He earned his PhD in 1976 from Mississippi State University and also served as an Adjunct Professor to advise students in their research. He moved his family back to West Texas in 1981 and continued working for the USDA-ARS of Lubbock until his retirement in 2002. His wife and daughters had a yearly tradition of going with him to the national USDA conference, followed by a week of vacation, which began their love of traveling around the United States. He also included his daughters Robyn and Linda when he tackled do-it-yourself projects such as gardening, refinishing furniture, replacing faucets, and working on the car, demonstrating to them that girls could follow any hobby or career path they chose. Gary especially enjoyed woodworking, reading, traveling in the USA and overseas, going on cruises, photographing his travels and his family, studying the Bible, and volunteering at church. Gary became a deacon at Calvary Baptist Church in 1997. He could be described as gentle, humble, kind, and patient – exemplifying to many family, friends, and acquaintances the fruit of the spirit from Galatians 6:22 or the description of love from I Corinthians 13. Recent acquaintances, nurses and nurses’ aides, also said that he was a special man – noting his kindness, humor, and spirit of contentment as he faced the end of his life.

Gary will be remembered as a proud and loving Grandpa. He and Liz would drive hours to be present at their grandchildren’s school events or ballet recitals. Rebecca, Kirsten, Anna, Molly, and Gary enjoyed many Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations with Grandma and Grandpa. Ever the jokester, Gary loved advising his granddaughters to “marry a farmboy”. (To date, none of them has been able to find a “farmboy” of Grandpa’s caliber).

Gary is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years Liz Barker, daughters Robyn Howland (Colin) and Linda Lawton (Robert), grandchildren Rebecca Comer (Tyler), Kirsten Rasinske (Sam), Anna Howland, Molly Lawton, Gary Lawton, and great-granddaughter Phoebe Comer. He is also survived by his brother Tommy Barker (Ruby), nephews Brian Barker (Julie) and Craig Barker (Karmen), niece Tametha Barker, and many grand-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Violet Barker of Plainview, and two infant daughters, Alice and Diane.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm July 24, 2026 at Lake Ridge Memorial Chapel, 6025 82nd Street. The celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 am on July 25th at Calvary Baptist Church, 5301 82nd Street, Lubbock, TX.

In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to Calvary Baptist Church (Lubbock, TX), or Carillon Senior Living (Lubbock, TX). We grieve that we will no longer enjoy Gary’s humor, joy, kindness, and love, but rejoice that he is with our savior Jesus Christ.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Calvary Baptist Church, 5301 82nd St, Lubbock, TX 79424, US, on July 25, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, with a livestream available at https://boxcast.tv/view/celebrating-the-life-of-gary-lynn-barker-m2f7eakchcohcsjgrfsx?_gl=1*1j7by8b*_gcl_au*Njg0NjU4OTE2LjE3ODQwNDc5MDguMTY5OTg2NTEyMS4xNzg0MDUwMDk3LjE3ODQwNTAxMjY.*_ga*MjY1NjY3ODgxLjE3ODQwNDc5MDg.*_ga_PXBBF7HVWQ*czE3ODQwNTAwOTgkbzIkZzEkdDE3ODQwNTAzNjEkajYwJGwwJGgw.