Bonnie Lou King Barker was born on April 12, 1927, in Waco, Texas. She passed into the hands of her Lord on April 2, 2025, in Lakewood, Colorado. She was the first of two daughters born to Jewel Evelyn and David Edward King. Nine years later, on April 11, 1936, her sister, Jane Lee was born.
The King family relocated to Temple, Texas, where Bonnie met her dear friend, Terry Whitley, a nurse. Terry’s passion for the medical field inspired Bonnie and ultimately guided her toward a career in hospitals, specifically in medical records. This experience expanded Bonnie’s understanding of medical terminology, which she never failed to use.
Through her cousin, she met and later married John Raymond Barker on October 16, 1949. John was a sportswriter for the Dallas Morning News and served as editor of The Dallas Woods and Waters Club magazine. Two children were born to John and Bonnie, Judy Len (1954) and John David (1959). John passed away on June 13, 1980. After years of living in Dallas, Texas, Bonnie relocated to Colorado, living close to both of her children.
Bonnie was always a huge sports fan…and very competitive. When grandchildren came along and wanted her to play a game, she gave them no slack. When Judy was talking to her about moving to California, she wouldn’t even consider it since there was no competitive bridge within a four-hour drive. Bridge has been a passion for as long as any of us can remember. Bowling was another love of hers. She was the high scorer on many leagues.
On any given day, Bonnie would be watching golf on one channel, tennis on another, and baseball on a third. She knew her sports. John David would call her from the golf course to get game updates, confident she would know all the statistics. Whenever the Dallas Cowboys or Texas Rangers played, she made a point to watch unless they were losing. At that point, her frustration would kick in and the channel would be changed. After moving to Colorado, her competitive nature continued with Bridge, Poker, and Hand & Foot.
Bonnie has always been fascinated by extreme weather. During a family trip to Nebraska when Judy and John David were young, there were two tornadoes at each end of a forked interstate. While Judy cried, Bonnie told her to hush, insisting she was going to outrun the suckers. And she did.
Years later, on a trip to Corpus Christi, a hurricane hit. She marched herself outside amid the storm to direct traffic. Back in Dallas, the city was hit with tornadoes while she drove home from playing Bridge. After hearing on the radio to take cover, she sped home, running red lights and looking at, in her words, ‘those nuts just sitting at a red light with a tornado coming!’
Bonnie had a variety of passions and interests. She loved sports cars and driving fast. Between her red Firebird and yellow Camero, she was advised by a policeman on one of her last tickets to get a less sporty car before she lost her license. She had her guns, using hollow points because if she needed to shoot, she would only shoot once. Clowns and seashells were items she loved to collect.
After staying home to raise her family, Bonnie returned to work at Richardson Medical Center in medical records, staying there until her retirement.
Bonnie was a grandmother to five grandchildren. They didn’t call her grandma or grandmother…they called her Saddie. Originally, Bonnie wanted her grandkids to call her Sad Sack, her CB handle. “Grandma,” she said, sounded too old. She was Sad Sack until her first granddaughter, Lindsey, shortened it to Saddie.
Bonnie’s health had been failing for a while. She was ready to “go home” and see her good Lord. She would tell Him, ‘I’m ready if You’re ready!’ She is survived by her daughter, Judy (Ron) and son, John David (Becky). Her five grandchildren: Joshua (Amy) Johnston, Gabrial (Emily) Johnston, Lindsey (Donnie) Stewart, Addison (Soo) and Samantha Barker. She is also survived by 9 great-grandchildren: Thalia (Juan) Johnston Gomez, Emerson and Walter Johnston, Benjamin, William, and Sullivan Stewart, Brody, Remy, and Yuna Barker. She was also hoping to “hold just one time” her twin great-great-grandchildren to be born in June to Thalia and Juan.
Furthermore, she leaves behind her dear friend, Zola Sheeder, who was like a sister to her during her years in Colorado.
As her friend Zola said, “It just doesn’t seem right without Bonnie in this world.” Amen.