Benny Barker - 1963

Benny Barker, age 60, of Lake Ivie, died Tuesday, August 8, 2006 at Coleman County Medical Center.  Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 11, 2006 at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Pat Horner and Brother Scott Shamburger officiating.  Services are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.  Family visitation will be held on Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home.

Benny Barker was born December 22, 1945 in Coleman, Texas, a son of Eddie Mae Threadgill Barker and the late Lewis Barker, Sr.  He grew up in Coleman where he attended school.  He served in the U. S. Army from 1966-1971 and was in Viet Nam for 1 1/2 years.  On February 17, 1968 he married Deborah Berry in Coleman.  Benny lived in Hale Center for two years and Liberty Hill for three years.  He worked in the oil field in Alaska and Saudi Arabia and for the City of Coleman for a number of years.  In 1995 he moved to Lake Ivie.  He loved to fish.  He was a member of Grace Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Deborah Barker of Lake Ivie; two daughters, Ali Birdwell and husband Jason of Coleman; Jessica Shaer and husband Hassan of Baytown; his mother, Eddie Mae Barker of Coleman; seven grandchildren, Jacob Birdwell, Hannah Birdwell, Ezekiel Birdwell, Luke Birdwell, Benjamin Shaer, Samuel Shaer, Seth Shaer; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lewis Barker, Sr. and his brother, Lewis Barker, Jr.

Memorials may be made to any Viet Nam Veterans organization or the VA Hospital in Kerrville, Texas.