Norman Ralph Barker

Norman Ralph Barker, 78, passed away on Sunday, October 31, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark., after a long battle with cancer. Norm was born in Win field, Kan., to Jack and Beverly (McGovney) Barker.

At the age of 6, he moved with his family to Tucson, Ariz., where he played and developed his fondness for the desert and mountains of southern Arizona. That’s also where his love for flying and all things “airplane” began. When Norm was in eighth grade, the family moved to Lincoln, Ark., quite a shock from the city and desert landscape of Tucson. In 1961, he graduated high school in Lincoln, while working and playing football. Following high school, Norman began a 60- plus year career in carpentry. He was a master woodworker and had an eye for detail. During his late 20s, Norman met his beloved, Carol ( McFee), they married and enjoyed almost 30 years of marriage before her passing in 1999. Out of this wonderful relationship came his children, Amy ( Barker) Campbell and Andrew Barker. During his later years in life, he and his wonderful and supporting wife, Laurie (Carney) Barker, enjoyed traveling to Branson, taking care of their animals, dancing at the Elks lodge, and spending time with kids and grandkids. They enjoyed 19 years of marriage together. Norman was a member of the Springdale, Ark., Elks club and a Beta Sigma Phi Envoy husband.

Norman is survived by his wife, Laurie ( Carney) Barker; children, June (Mike) Brosius, Norman ( Robin) Barker, Timothy ( Vicki) Barker, Amy (Steven) Campbell, and Andrew (Carrie) Barker; stepdaughter, Deborah (Barry) Wethers; grandchildren, Angus Middleton, Ayla (Luke) Schilling, Chelsea Barker, Leslea Barker, Brent ( Amber) Barker, Travis Barker, Kevin Barker, Colby Campbell, Lauren Milam, Audrey Milam, Sybil Campbell, Madisyn Barker, Jamon Barker, and Taylor ( Dusti) Wethers; great-grandson, Cyrus Schilling; sisters, Beverly (Jack) Bottoms, Sheryl Farris, Wendy (David) Baker, and Cindy (Kevin) Archer; and many nieces and nephews.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Beverly Barker; and siblings, Jack Barker, Martha Ousley, Ramona Barker; and infant brothers Christopher Barker and Robert Barker; and wife, Carol.

Funeral service was held November 5, 2021, at Luginbuel Chapel. Burial was in Mt. Olive Cemetery in Elkins, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Willard Walker Hospice Home, 325 Longview Dr., Fayetteville, Arkansas 72703.

Online Guestbook: www. luginbuel.com.

Barker