John Henry (Jack) Barker (1920 - 2011) went home to be with the Lord on Friday, September 2, 2011, at the Palliser Regional Care Centre, with his wife and family by his side. Jack was born to Elizabeth & Amos Barker on June 18, 1920, in the Mankota area. He was raised on the farm with three brothers and one sister. They were educated at the Bannock School, with high school taken by correspondence course. In January 1946, Jack married Millicent White and they made their home in the Alloa area, 20 miles southwest of Mankota. Here they raised Hereford cattle and gradually expanded the ranch. It was also here that their children, Allan, Judy and Betty grew up. In 1962, they moved closer to Mankota. Jack was a founding member of the Mankota Stockman’s Weigh Co, a life-time member of the Sask. Stockgrowers Assoc. and a long-time leader of the Mankota 4-H Beef Club. Jack loved sports, especially softball which he played for many years, horseshoes, square dancing and playing cribbage with his grandchildren. He loved the outdoors and spent many hours riding a good horse checking cattle and pastures. Branding times and roundups were special for him. He was a community minded caring neighbour. In 1989, Jack & Millie moved to Swift Current where Jack soon bought 5 quarters of pastureland west of town and continued summering yearling steers. In March of 2000, he suffered a debilitating stroke which sent him to the Palliser Care Centre, where he lived until his passing. Jack was a loving father and doted on his grandchildren. Jack was predeceased by his parents, Amos & Elizabeth Barker; a grandson, David Schiml; brothers, George, Lyell and Bob; parents-in-law, Roy & Elizabeth White; in-laws, Gilbert White, Bill Gillies, Walter Murray, John Froese, Bob McClinton, Don Henderson and Pam Barker; nephews, Leslie Gillies and Richard Barker; and by a niece, Francine White. Jack leaves to mourn his loving wife, Millie of 65 years; son, Allan (Isabelle), his children, Krista (Rick) Gauthier, Pamela Slettede, Jack (Jenna) Barker, Dawn: daughter, Judy (Herman) Schiml, their children, Kelly (Wendy), David’s wife Tammy, Glen (Lori), Earl, Karen (Daryl) Chubb: daughter, Betty (Dennis) Baragar, their children, Karmen (Lyndon) Kyle, Dean; ten great-grandchildren; a sister, Evelyn Gillies; and many in-laws, nieces and nephews. A Fellowship and Sharing evening was held at the Swift Current Funeral Chapel, Swift Current, SK on Monday, September 5, 2011 at 7:00 pm. The Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, September 6, 2011, at 2:00 pm from the Mankota Community Hall, Mankota, SK with Pastor Rob Cochrane officiating. Music was led and anthems rendered by the Trinity Lutheran Choir under the direction of Betty Baragar. The Eulogy and Life History was shared by his son, Allan Barker. The Interment was held at the Mankota Cemetery, Mankota, SK with the following grandchildren serving as pallbearers, Jack Barker Jr., Krista Gautier, Dean Baragar, Karmen Kyle, Earl Schiml and Karen Schiml. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK.
The family gratefully acknowledges and gives heartfelt thanks to all the staff at the Palliser, for the many years of love and care they gave to Jack. He loved life and lived it to the full as long as he could.