George P. Barker

St. George: George P. Barker, 64, of rural St. George, KS, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at Stormont-Vail Health Care in Topeka. He was born December 27, 1944 in Chanute, KS, the son of George and Loas (McCoy) Barker. He graduated from Chanute High School in 1962, and attended Neosho County Community College. In 1963, George married Linda Matlock. They later divorced. From this marriage, his children, Kirt, Cindy, Darcie, and Derek were born. Cindy preceded him in death in 1986. He married Anna Kepley Myers on December 27, 1988 in Miami, OK. They enjoyed 20 years together. In the 1970’s, George worked as the Chanute City Power Plant Operator, and helped to Unionize the City of Chanute. He moved to the Wamego and St. George area and began work at Jeffrey Energy Center in 1977 as a Control Room Operator, where he worked until 1996. George then became the Business Manager of I.B.E.W. Local 304 until he retired in 1999. He was a member of the Wamego Masonic Lodge #75 since the early 1980’s, serving as the Lodge Secretary and also Lodge Master. He was also a member of the Topeka Arab Shrine Temple, the I.B.E.W. Local 304, the First Presbyterian Church of Wamego, and ABATE of Kansas. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandkids. He enjoyed writing poetry, fishing, hunting, golfing, and riding his Harley Davidson. He also loved his dogs; “Suzie B” and “Glory B”. Survivors include his wife Anna, of the home; his children, Kirt Barker of Loveland, CO, Darcie Grimmett of Topeka, KS, Derek Barker of Willard, KS, Anthony Myers of Preston, KS, David Myers of Savannah, GA, Matthew Myers of Wichita, KS; his brother Terry Barker of Highlandville, MO; his two half-brothers, Oren and Albert Barker, both of Kansas, his half-sister, Faith Dee of Washington; his 10 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his daughter Cindy Barker Baker, and his half-brother Frank. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 22, 2009, at Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego. The family will greet friends, one hour prior to services on Saturday starting at 10:00 a.m. A memorial has been designated in George’s name for the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital and may be left in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, 66547.