Howard Pierce Barker Jr.

Howard Pierce Barker Jr., 93 passed away May 4, 2015. Nicknamed “Bud” by his brother Jack, was born November 5, 1921 in Rochester, New York to Howard P. Barker Sr. and Dorothy Page Barker. He moved as a child to Rye Neck, New York where he attended F.E. Bellows High School. In High School he played varsity hockey, and was Student Council Vice President. He attended Art school at the MacLane Art Institute in New York City, which was interrupted by WWII. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was sent to basic training in Sioux Falls, S.D. training as a radio operator. He was stationed on the Ascension Islands. He returned to New York City to finish his art studies. Bud attended classes at Pratt University and at The Art Students League. One of his favorite instructors at The League was Artist, Yasuo Kuniyoshi. He also spent a summer at Pownal Center, Vermont studying under Impressionistic painter Frank Vincent DuMond. While in Art School he had a part time job as an usher at the famous Roxy Theater. Bud started a career in advertising working at 30 Rockefeller Center, retouching ads. Shortly after that he moved to The Ad Agency of Fuller, Smith, and Ross. In 1953, he was hired on as an Art Editor at The Reader’s Digest. He worked for the Reader’s Digest for 23 years where he finished his career as Senior Staff Art Editor, Recorded Music Division. Bud was a long time member and a Trustee of the Mamaroneck United Methodist Church, Mamaroneck, New York. He was an avid volunteer in the United Way and The Food Bank of Greater Sarasota, Fl. He had a very philanthropic spirit and was the first to lend a helping hand. He loved to play tennis, sail, play bridge, and listen to music. He was a great ballroom dancer. He and his wife Caroline retired to Sarasota, Florida and eventually moved to Dallas in 1998. Bud spent the last 15 years of his life meeting and making new friends. He never met a stranger and was a friend to all. He had a humble, kind nature. He is survived by his daughter Carol Lee Barker Davis and husband Frank C. Davis lll of Dallas; grandchildren, Franklin lV, Pierce, and Elizabeth Davis. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Caroline Stickney Barker, his son Howard Pierce Barker lll of Carmel Valley, California, his brother Col. Ret. John Page Barker of Sarasota, Florida. A special thank you to all the kind and friendly staff at Signature Point on the Lake, and to all his loving caregivers, especially Stephanie and Nicole. A memorial service will be held at 2pm, Friday, May 8, 2015 in Wynne Chapel, Highland Park Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.