Heber Barker

Upon completion of a long and wonderful life, Heber Bennion Barker, 98, passed away peacefully in his home on May 22, 2024. He was born in Murray, Utah on April 24, 1926, the son of Frederick William and Helen Bennion Barker.

Heber's early years were marked by depression-era hardship, learning at an early age to help support his family, and the value of hard work. By the time he was a pre-teen, his family's circumstances had improved, and he worked dutifully on their poultry farm, with daily chores both before and after school, plus other projects to supplement his and his family's needs. As a young man, he eventually paid for and built his first three homes himself.

A 1944 graduate of Granite High School, Heber then attended Brigham Young University, where he met his beautiful red-haired sweetheart, Corinne Smith. They married in the Salt Lake Temple on November 19, 1948. Corinne was the lovely and talented wife of Heber's youth, and together they were blessed with five wonderful children, twins Mike and Doug, Ruth, Becky, and Heber S.

Looking for an opportunity to serve the Lord, and in the spirit of a grand adventure, Heber and Corinne took their young family to serve a four-year teaching mission in Samoa from 1957-1961. At first, he taught at the Church's Pesega School, then progressed to become its principal, and later was appointed as a Superintendent of Church Schools, including The Church College of Western Samoa. He learned and honored Samoan traditions as he taught, loved, and served remarkable people of faith in a beautiful and primitive tropical paradise. Ben Solovi, his Samoan son, not by blood but by love, became a part of Heber's family during those years. Heber and his family were forever marked and blessed by that extraordinary time in their lives.

Upon returning to Utah, Heber pursued advanced degrees at the University of Utah, continuing to work as an educator and administrator in various positions and locations in the Salt Lake City public schools throughout his professional career.

Corinne unexpectedly passed away in 1983, leaving Heber sadly alone. The Lord, however, was mindful of him and soon led him to Geri Isbell, his sweet companion and dear love, to whom he was joyfully and inseparably married for 40 years. She loved, laughed, and brought Heber happiness and joy in the last years of his life.

A faithful lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Heber held various church leadership and teaching callings, the favorite of which was serving with Geri as Primary Nursery Leaders for fifteen years, where they were known as "Grandpa and Grandma Barker" to the children of the ward and in the neighborhood.

Heber will be remembered as a kind and gentle man; a man without guile. He was never known to use a swear word or raise his voice in anger. Like his mother, Helen, he was a storyteller. He was a frugal, but generous man who loved using his hands - finding joy in serving others, and working on and repairing cars, then selling them or giving them away. He enjoyed gardening, summer family vacations, traveling, camping, and water-skiing. He especially loved babies and little children and had a kind of magic with them. He loved his family unconditionally and without judgment. Most of all, Heber was a quiet man of faith, who loved the Lord with an unfailing testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In addition to his parents, Heber was preceded in death by his first wife Corinne, siblings Mildred June Lindley, Norton Pixton, Conway, his little brother Freddie, beloved little sister Sylvia, his grandson, Michael McGowan, step-granddaughter, Sarah Folkerson. and Samoan son, Ben Solovi.

Survivors include his wife, Geri Barker, his youngest brother Steven (Colleen) Barker,

His children: Michael (Jerry) Barker, Douglas (Noi) Barker, Corinne Ruth (James) McGowan, Rebecca (Rick) Woodbury, Heber S. (Banyen) Barker, and 4 stepchildren: Vickie (Rich) Sevy, Scott (Nancy) Wilkinson, Gregg Wilkinson, Marci (Brad) Folkerson, 19 grandchildren and 15 step-grandchildren, a combined total of 71 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, June 3, 2024, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 5555 South 700 West, Taylorsville, Utah. Viewings will be held Sunday, June 2nd, from 6:00-7:30 PM at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 S. Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah and from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church prior to the funeral service on Monday. Heber will be laid to rest at Taylorsville Memorial Cemetery, 4575 S. Redwood Road, in the midst of dear ones who have gone before and joyfully welcome him home.