Richard D. Barker

Richard Dean Barker ~ August 31, 1934 - February 16, 2018 Born on August 31, 1934 on a farm in Mitchell, Nebraska. He was the youngest of 9 children born into the family of John Nathaniel Barker and Emma Louise (Sillman) Barker. In 1939, the family moved from the farm into the town of Mitchell, Nebraska and Richard (aka Rich or Dick) attended Mitchell Public Schools - graduating from Mitchell High School in 1952. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 1952 and completed basic training in San Diego, California and then was assigned to Naval Air Station, Barber's Point, Oahu, Hawaii as Legal Yeoman. He then transferred to the US Frank Knox, DDR742 (Radar Picket Destroyer) in March of 1955. He continued to serve on board until Honorably Discharged in August 1955. He met Janice Carol McMillen in fall of 1955 one evening - and they were smitten with each other until they married in Scottsbluff, Nebraska on July 1, 1956. Richard and Janice celebrated their 61st year of marriage in July 2017. During that time, he raised 3 beautiful daughters - Martha Louise, Katherine Jo, and Richell Dee. Rich began employment with The Great Western Sugar Company in Mitchell, Nebraska in August 1956 as a Factory Manager's Clerk and later as the timekeeper. He was then transferred to Denver, Colorado corporate offices and moved the family to Denver in June of 1964. He worked various positions including Accounts Payable Supervisor, Head Bookkeeper, Data Processing Manager, Manager of Accounting for a subsidiary - Emerald Christmas Tree in Cadillac, Michigan and then Manager of Factory Accounting until he retired from GW Sugar CO. in January 1983. He then started with Tele-Communication Inc. in March 1983 as Payroll Manager and finished up his working career with TCI until retirement in March 1990. Rich was a committed family man and a true friend to all. He was involved in his community including Commander of the Michie-Mckeown Post #124 of Mitchell and was past President of Mitchell Jaycees. He has continued to serve on his church finance committee and wherever else he could serve within his community. He enjoyed many years of fishing with family and friends and loved walleye fish fries! He loved to golf and was still part of the Lake Arbor Men's golf club and played golf every Wednesday. He loved to travel and most of all, loved to live life with his beloved wife Jan and support his family in every way that he could. Survived by his wife Janice; his 3 daughters, Martha Labadie, Katherine (Randy) Ostby and Richell Barker; 2 grandchildren, Shawn (Erin) Ostby and Shannon Ostby; and one great-grandchild, Kennedy Ostby. Also survived by Brother-in-law, William (Bonnie) McMillen and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, and 8 siblings - Kenneth (Ida), John Stanley (Anne), Robert (Arlene), Dale and Derold, Keith (Jan), James (Dottie) Barker, and a sister, Fern (Reuben) Barthuly. Memorial Service will be Monday, February 26, 2018, 10 AM at Northglenn United Methodist Church, 1605 West 106th Avenue, Northglenn. Committal Service to follow at 12:15 PM at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Staging Area C, 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Richard's honor to: Northglenn United Methodist Church 1605 West 106th Avenue Northglenn, Colorado 80234 Please leave memories of Richard and condolences for his family by signing the guestbook below.