Jason Lee Barker

Jason was born in Saskatoon on July 30, 1974 to parents Bryan and Gwen Barker. He was an only child and to his parents, Jason was the very essence of life. He doted on them and they treasured him.

He adored his grandparents too; he loved visiting them in Dauphin and Clear Lake, Manitoba. They would also come to visit him, no matter how far they had to drive or how old they became.

As a young boy, Jason avoided making his bed or picking up his toys. He had a friend next door and she would come over and make his bed and straighten up his room whether he chose to help or not. He loved spending time with his friends and they sought him out because he was easy to be around. Jason also loved alone time as a child --- he could shut the door and play with his toy cars for hours.

Jason could be single-minded and quietly stubborn. He was seldom argumentative but if he didn’t want to do something, he simply didn’t do it. However, if his Dad --- or Pops, as Jason called him --- made a special request of him, he would do it without question.

As a teen, Jason wasn’t interested in sports, but he loved skateboarding with friends. Whenever the Barkers travelled, they always had to stop at the nearest skateboard shop.

He graduated from Evan Hardy Collegiate in 1992 with lifelong friends Craig Silliphant and Kim Kurtenbach. He went on to study at Medicine Hat Art College and lived in Vancouver for a number of years until moving back to Saskatoon in 2001, where he and Craig shared an apartment.

In 2007, Jason met his partner and soulmate, Charis Bauer. They moved in together in 2009 and he had many cute nicknames for her, like Charis-ee. They loved to bike or walk around the Forestry Farm together. He lovingly cherished her, always looking for ways to make her happy. Jason took swimming lessons as a child and while he achieved the Master’s level, he wasn’t fond of public pools. However, Charis loves to swim, so he would always go with her when she asked. She spoiled him too; Jason would often brag about the gourmet meals and lunches that Charis would prepare for him.

As he got older, Jason’s thoughtfulness blossomed. He spoke to his parents daily and was always there to help. Without being asked, he cut their grass twice a week in the summer. He never failed to show up and would share a drink and some conversation after.

To his friends, Jason was long-known as ‘JB.’ Still easy to be around as an adult, those that didn’t know him might assume him shy, but still waters ran deep. He had a secret sentimental side and his friends will tell you he was the funniest person they knew. He kept them in stitches with his hilarious, wry sense of humour. They were in awe of his artistic nature, always sketching or taking experimental photos to use on different design projects.

However, what most people will remember about Jason was his intense love of music. He enjoyed researching and sharing discoveries with friends, whether through conversation or with mixes he would make (he would create the cover artwork as well).

His parents remember being asked to get him various electronic instruments for birthdays or Christmas; they joke that they had no idea about the purpose of these machines. In fact, Bryan took Jason for several guitar lessons as a child, but never heard him play a single note. But Jason used these instruments to play music with Craig and their close friends.

It was also a shared love of music that brought Jason and Charis together. It was a constant in their lives. For years, they hosted a DJ night at Flint Saloon called Sunglasses After Dark. In fact, Jason never missed a chance to choose the music at a party if the opportunity presented itself.

Jason was preceded by his grandparents: Pauline and Martin Lunsted; and Thelma and Fred Barker. He is survived by his loving parents, Bryan and Gwen Barker, his partner and soulmate Charis Bauer, and a close inner circle of friends.

Jason has left an indelible mark on the souls of those who loved him. He is gone too soon; but if there is music out there, among the stars, he will find it and one day be waiting there to play it for us.

A Celebration of Jason’s Life will be held later in 2024. Jason also loved kitties, so in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the SPCA or SCAT Street Cat Rescue.

Arrangements entrusted to Travis Minor.