In Memory Of
Gerald K. Barker
Gerald K. Barker
Gerald K. Barker, 90, Topeka, died Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at Midland Hospice House.
He was born April 20, 1914 in Ottawa, KS, the only son of Guy K. and Sarah Ann Butterton Barker. He graduated from Ottawa High School, where he was an all-state basketball player. He then graduated from Ottawa University, receiving all-state basketball and football recognition. In 1988, he was an original inductee into the Ottawa University BRAVES Athletic Hall of Fame. He received a Master's Degree from the University of Kansas.
Mr. Barker was a teacher and athletic at Appanoose, Maple Hill, Minneapolis, and Great Bend High Schools prior to entering WW 2 Naval service where he served as a Chief Petty Officer, later transferring to the Unites States Coast Guard, receiving his Ensign's commission at the Coast Guard Academy. He served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theatre of operations. He participated in combat landings on Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Leyte. He retired with the rank of Captain in 1970 after 31 years active and reserve service. He was a member of the USS LST Association, Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association, American Legion, VFW, Military Order of World Wars, The Navy League, The Retired Officers Association, and the Reserve Officers Association.
He was the veterans advisor at Washburn University from 1946-1949, then was General Sales Manager at WREN radio station from 1949-1956. He returned to Washburn as Director of Public Relations and successively served as Executive Director for Alumni Affairs, Assistant to the President, Vice President for Development, and Vice President for University Relations. For many years, he teamed with Max Falkenstein broadcasting KU men's basketball on WREN Radio. From 1962 through 1965 he was the first director of KTWU, Channel 11, Educational Television. For his efforts in raising funds after the disasterous tornado in 1966, he was given an honorary membership in the Washburn University School of Law Bar Association. He was a member of SAGAMORE, the men's honorary society. In 1970, he was elected to the Hall of Fame of the American Alumni Council and the American College Public Relations Association.
He served on the boards of the Mid-America Fair, Southwest State Bank, Shawnee County Club, Topeka Board of Education, Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, was Chairman of the Military Affairs Steering Committee, Kansas Amateur Golf Association, served as president of the Heart of America Seniors and Kansas Golf Senior Invitational Associations. He was a member of Alvamar Country Club in Lawrence and First United Methodist Church, Topeka.
He married Lois Billett of Princeton, Kansas on Sept. 4, 1943 in San Francisco, CA. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Gregory K. Barker, Seattle, WA, William B. Barker, Topeka; sister, Amy Dillaha, Green Valley, AZ; two grandchildren, Amanda and Kye Barker, Topeka. He was preceded in death by his sister, Lois Van Loenen.
Cremation is planned. Memorial services will be 11:00 am Monday at First United Methodist Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Braves Hall of Fame, Ottawa University, 1001 S. Cedar, Ottawa, KS 66067, or to the Gerald K. Barker Golf Scholarship Fund, Washburn University, 1700 SW College, Topeka, 66621
Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements. To leave a special message online, visit www.penwellgabel.com.
He was born April 20, 1914 in Ottawa, KS, the only son of Guy K. and Sarah Ann Butterton Barker. He graduated from Ottawa High School, where he was an all-state basketball player. He then graduated from Ottawa University, receiving all-state basketball and football recognition. In 1988, he was an original inductee into the Ottawa University BRAVES Athletic Hall of Fame. He received a Master's Degree from the University of Kansas.
Mr. Barker was a teacher and athletic at Appanoose, Maple Hill, Minneapolis, and Great Bend High Schools prior to entering WW 2 Naval service where he served as a Chief Petty Officer, later transferring to the Unites States Coast Guard, receiving his Ensign's commission at the Coast Guard Academy. He served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theatre of operations. He participated in combat landings on Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Leyte. He retired with the rank of Captain in 1970 after 31 years active and reserve service. He was a member of the USS LST Association, Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association, American Legion, VFW, Military Order of World Wars, The Navy League, The Retired Officers Association, and the Reserve Officers Association.
He was the veterans advisor at Washburn University from 1946-1949, then was General Sales Manager at WREN radio station from 1949-1956. He returned to Washburn as Director of Public Relations and successively served as Executive Director for Alumni Affairs, Assistant to the President, Vice President for Development, and Vice President for University Relations. For many years, he teamed with Max Falkenstein broadcasting KU men's basketball on WREN Radio. From 1962 through 1965 he was the first director of KTWU, Channel 11, Educational Television. For his efforts in raising funds after the disasterous tornado in 1966, he was given an honorary membership in the Washburn University School of Law Bar Association. He was a member of SAGAMORE, the men's honorary society. In 1970, he was elected to the Hall of Fame of the American Alumni Council and the American College Public Relations Association.
He served on the boards of the Mid-America Fair, Southwest State Bank, Shawnee County Club, Topeka Board of Education, Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, was Chairman of the Military Affairs Steering Committee, Kansas Amateur Golf Association, served as president of the Heart of America Seniors and Kansas Golf Senior Invitational Associations. He was a member of Alvamar Country Club in Lawrence and First United Methodist Church, Topeka.
He married Lois Billett of Princeton, Kansas on Sept. 4, 1943 in San Francisco, CA. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Gregory K. Barker, Seattle, WA, William B. Barker, Topeka; sister, Amy Dillaha, Green Valley, AZ; two grandchildren, Amanda and Kye Barker, Topeka. He was preceded in death by his sister, Lois Van Loenen.
Cremation is planned. Memorial services will be 11:00 am Monday at First United Methodist Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Braves Hall of Fame, Ottawa University, 1001 S. Cedar, Ottawa, KS 66067, or to the Gerald K. Barker Golf Scholarship Fund, Washburn University, 1700 SW College, Topeka, 66621
Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements. To leave a special message online, visit www.penwellgabel.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gerald K. Barker, please visit our flower store.
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