Jay Alan Barker was born at the Thomas Dee Hospital in Ogden on September 05, 1931, 85 years ago. He died August 15, 2017 in Manti, Sanpete, Utah.
Born to Esther Arnetta Goodliffe and Joseph Delbert Barker. His mother had been superintendent of schools in Franklin County, Idaho and was a Soprano Soloist. His father attended Utah State Agricultural College in Logan, later running the Barker Dairy.
Jay's big sister is Kleda (Mrs. William Quigley) His younger brother is USAF Captain Joseph (Keith) Barker. Jay's mother died when Jay was a pre-schooler after falling from a cherry tree. A childhood illness left him and his sister with hearing loss.
Jay graduated from Ogden High School and Gallaudet College in Washington D.C. He often enjoyed Family Home Evenings with Apostle and Secretary of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson and family.
He played the organ in many wards of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had the same piano teacher as the Osmond Brothers, excepting Tommy, who is profoundly deaf, though, cheerful. (we loved him at the Salt Lake Deaf Ward, Park Stake).
As a teacher of the deaf in Montana, Colorado and Utah, he once entertained at a student assembly in a Beethoven costume, playing "Appassionata" beautifully (candelabra and all). He once constructed a life-size Christmas donkey on wheels for another assembly.
He first married MaryPratt in the Manti Temple, December 1961. Janet La Joie was his wife next. She predeceased him, His stepchildren survive him (Joe, Becca, Tetta, Kirsten, Jonathan).
Father of Joy Arnetta (Mrs. Gary Fitzgerald) and Jayson Barker. Three grandchildren: Mandi Fitzgerald (Mrs. Jarrett Webster), Jade and Tyler Barker. Five great-grandchildren: Carter, Kennedy and Grant, Haizley and Zayden Barker.
Jay and his first wife served as Stake Dance Directors in Colorado. He was a Seventy enjoyed family history. Athletic, he coached basketball, enjoyed water skiing, bicycling and making peach ice cream at picnics. He obtained a Master's degree in education at Northridge University in California, He had a phenomenal book collection.
Graveside services will be held on Monday, August 21, at 11:30 am at Leavitts Mortuary and Aultorest Memorial Park, 836 36th Street in South Ogden. Contributions to offset funeral expenses would be greatly appreciated.
