Harry R. Barker, 86

Harry R. Barker, 86, passed away Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at the Lakeview Care Center in Bigfork. He was born Oct. 30, 1923, in Salt Lake City, to the late Jesse Lee and Mary Pearl Barker. He was the youngest of ten siblings. Harry moved with his parents to San Francisco in 1940, where he began work in the shipyards. On Jan. 25, 1943, he received his call to active duty, serving in the First Army under General Omar Bradley, with the 146th Combat Engineers, and later in the 612th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Harry arrived in England on Oct. 17, 1943, and served for a little over two years in various parts of Europe. He was involved in numerous campaigns, including Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. Harry was an accomplished marksman and received many medals and ribbons. One of his most remarkable memories was being one of the first soldiers to set foot on Omaha beach during the invasion of Normandy, and one of the few who lived to talk about it. Harry had seen and experienced many things during the war, but his love and patriotic feelings for his country were never dampened. He stated, It was worth it; peace is always going to be costly. After the war, Harry returned to San Francisco, where he met his beautiful bride-to-be, Shirley June Lumley. They met in 1946 at Western Union, where Shirley was working, and were married one year later on April 11, 1947. They lived in San Mateo, Menlo Park, Palo Alto and Cupertino. During this time, Harry worked for Haight Appliances and Goldeens. In 1965, he became a Mason, and soon after, a member of the Shriners, and in 1970 he became the president of his local Shriner Lodge. In 1973, Harry took a trip to Montana and fell in love with the country. They sold their house in California and he was hired to work in the Physical Plant at the University of Montana Biological Station, Yellow Bay. Harry started his new job on Labor Day,1974. During his time at the Biological Station, Harry was actively involved in many church and community activities, including the Sea Scout program. He retired from the Biological station in 1989. Harry and Shirley continued to reside in Yellow Bay where he fulfilled his dreams of fishing, hunting and raising Arabian horses along with various other animals. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary this April. Harry loved people and they loved him. He was a wonderful husband, uncle and friend. It was an honor to know Harry and experience his never-ending sense of humor, beautiful voice, and love for life, family and his country. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Harry was preceded in death by his parents and nine siblings. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; and many nieces, nephews, great- and great-great-nieces and nephews. There will be a public viewing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, June 4, at the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, 525 Main St., Kalispell. Family will be present from 2 to 4 p.m. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 5, at the Lakeview Cemetery in Polson, with military honors by the Veterans Honor Guard. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Harry s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Harry s tribute wall.