Obituary of Walter R. Barker

Walter R. Barker, 88, (also known as Sonny) of Jamestown, NY, passed away at 2:25 am Wednesday, January 20, 2021, in UPMC Chautauqua. A lifelong area resident, he was born April 28, 1932, in Jamestown, NY, a son of the late Walter R. and Evelyn Johnson Barker, Sr. Walt was a 1950 graduate of Jamestown High School and attended Jamestown Community College. Before his retirement years, he had worked in construction for a few years, worked as a draftsman for Steel Partitions and was employed by the Dowcraft Corporation, retiring in 1991. From 1960 -1980, Walt was a firefighter for the Jamestown Fire Department, serving as a ladder truck Captain and EMT. As an adult Walt started building his premarital home, which is where his four children were raised, and where he resided until his passing. Walt served with U.S. Naval Reserves for six years and was a member of the former Jamestown Area Jaycees where he chaired several programs. He was also a 50 year member of the Mt. Moriah Lodge 145, Free and Accepted Masons, the Jamestown Shrine Club, Jamestown Consistory, a 43 year member of the Jamestown Lions Club, the Chautauqua County Antique Car Club and a member of the Lawson Boat Center, to which he donated several parts of the City of Jamestown Steamer (sign, flagpole, and hull pieces). Incidentally, he had his first date with his late wife Shirley on the City of Jamestown Steamer. Walt owned income properties in Jamestown as well as in Clearwater Beach, FL where he spent the winter months. While living in Florida, he and his wife chaired the Chautauqua County Picnics in Safety Harbor, FL. Walt loved his beagle "Rascal", which was his favorite lapdog. He always said that his favorite activity was taking a nap…and he was very good at it. Surviving are his four children; Daniel (Gail) Barker of Jamestown, Bruce (Qing) Barker of Wesley Chapel Hill, FL, Linda, (Denis) Gegenfurtner of Hamburg, NY, Cheryl Oquist of Jamestown, two grandsons; Patrick (Jessica) Barker of Colden, NY, Christopher Barker of East Aurora, NY, a great grandson, Chase Barker, several step-grandchildren, and step-great grandchildren, including Kelley (Mike) Bilz of Cheektowaga, NY, Korey Gegenfurtner of Hamburg, NY, a step-great granddaughter, Mackenzie Bilz, a sister-in-law, Marta Barker of CA as well as two nieces and one great niece. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, the former Shirley E. Mohr Barker whom he married October 2, 1954 and who died September 9, 2003 and a brother, Donald Barker. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a private family service will be held in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Luke Fodor, pastor of the St. Luke's Episcopal Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. Visitation will not be observed. Memorials may be made to the Jamestown High School Class of 1950 Scholarship Fund, c/o Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St. Jamestown, NY 14701, the Ismailia Shriners Club, 1600 Southwestern Blvd. Buffalo, NY 14224 or to the Jamestown Lions Club, P.O. Box, 3683, Jamestown, NY 14701.