Stevan Wayne Barker

Stevan “Steve” Wayne Barker left this world on his next great adventure on March 21, 2025. He was born in Lockney, Texas on August 1, 1951, to Arthur P. and Muriel Faye Barker, Jr. His early days were full of curiosity, exploration, and learning, all of which he took to a new level. In grade school, his parents gifted Steve with World Book Encyclopedias. By his freshman year, Steve had read the entire set. In the small farming community, where lakes are few, Steve learned to water ski in playas on wooden skis made by his dad, snow ski pulled by a chain down back country roads behind a pickup, climbed water towers, and made extraordinary explosive devices from Blackcat powder in the basement of his home, then gave them to his brother for college use. Steve’s love of mixing compounds and elements led him to Texas Tech where he earned a degree in chemistry, then law, followed by a master’s degree in taxation law from SMU. He married Alison Beach in 1977, and they set up shop in San Antonio. Steve worked as a senior vice president and trust officer at Frost National Bank for 35 years. In his precious family time, Steve and Alison brought into this world: Jonathan (1982) and Emily (1985).

Over the years, besides helping countless people (silently and anonymously), and doing his best to honor Christ and behave like a good Presbyterian (after his time at Wayside Chapel), Steve challenged one adventure after another: 100-mile August Wichita Falls bicycle races, 24-hour bicycle road races, the Texas Water Safari, whitewater rafting, Pikes Peak Marathon, remote spelunking, winter mountain climbing, desert camping, mission trips to Good Shepherd Ministries in Haiti, and hiking in Patagonia and Hawaii. Once, on a dare from his best friend and brother Paul, Steve rode his antique, heavy bicycle from his home in San Antonio to his childhood home in Lockney, on farm-to-market roads, sleeping only when necessary, in cotton fields and bar ditches. Along his journeys Steve broke bones, got concussions, lost a kidney, had hip and knee replacements, and received enough stitches to make a ball of twine, but he never complained – no, not once. We’ll miss you, Steve, and the campfires, stars, the Marfa lights and stories. Will we ever!

Steve was loving and committed to his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Alison Barker, son, Jonathan (Michele) Barker of San Antonio, and daughter, Emily (Benjamin) Cleveland of Nashville, Tennessee, adored grandchildren Caroline, Cecilia, Eloise, and Arthur, and his companion brother Paul (Judith) Barker, brothers-in law Doug (Barbie) Beach and Chris (Siti) Beach, several cousins, nieces and nephews, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws.

A service to celebrate Steve’s life will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025, at 3:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church San Antonio with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA).

To view the services of Stevan Barker click the link below.

https://vimeo.com/1046514736/1fe136378a?share=copy