James Carl Barker, 86

James Carl Barker passed away Aug. 27, 2012, with his family by his side in Columbia Falls.

Carl was born May 21, 1926, in Springdale, Ark., to George and Rose Barker.

 He joined the United States Navy during World War II and served as a water tender, 3rd Class on the USS Casablanca, USS Allegan, and the USS Bennington. He received three medals, the American Theater, Asiatic-Pacific, and the Victory Medal. He was discharged May 18, 1946.

Carl was a farmer and a blacksmith in California until 1962. He went to work as a boiler operator for Tri-Valley Growers in Modesto, Calif., until he retired in 1988.

He loved to coach Pee Wee, Little League, and Pony League baseball. Carl was also a volunteer fire commissioner for the city of Keyes, Calif. After his retirement, Carl and his wife Lorraine moved to Columbia Falls. It was here he spent his years looking out at the mountains in front of his home, which he claimed to be his own.

Carl also was a fisherman and a hunter. He loved being with his grandchildren and helping them with their first deer hunts. He was very proud to have his “Big Deer Story” published in the Texas Trophy Hunters magazine, April 2006.             

Carl devoted much of his time to gardening. He loved sharing his crops with family, friends, neighbors, and even a few strangers.

He was “The Weather Reporter” to the family. He loved giving the daily forecast. He always made sure to tell loved ones if snow or frost was on the way so they could plan travel or protect their gardens. He always had a “pumpkin patch” for his grandchildren and the neighborhood kids.

Carl read the Mountain Trader like a novel and went to Gardner Auction almost every week. If you needed anything, he could tell you where to find  it.  He was a great storyteller and always had something interesting to share.

Carl is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lorraine Barker; his children, Barbara Mitchell of Reeds, Mo., Carl Barker of Whitefish, Jim Barker of Oroville, Wash., Joyce Dye of Kalispell, and Laura Postma of Gooding, Idaho. Carl had 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Betty Cleave, and two grandsons.

Carl rests at Woodlawn Cemetery, Columbia Falls.

The family would like to thank all those who had a part in making Carl's life, as he would say, “Super Deluxe, and any!”

You will be greatly missed!

Condolences may be sent to 104 Greenbriar Dr., Kalispell, MT 59901.