Norman Ralph Barker

Norman Ralph Barker, 78, passed away on Sunday, October 31 in Fayetteville, AR after a long battle with cancer. Norm was born in Winfield, KS to Jack and Beverly (McGovney) Barker. At the age of 6, he moved with his family to Tucson, AZ, where he played and developed his fondness for the desert and mountains of southern Arizona. That’s also where his love for flying and all things “airplane” began. Later in life, he could tell an airplane by the sound, and you sure didn’t want to be on the other end carrying something heavy when one flew over; you would soon have the load by yourself or learn to put it down very quickly. When Norm was in eighth grade, the family moved to Lincoln, AR, quite a shock from the city and desert landscape of Tucson. In 1961, he graduated high school in Lincoln, while working and playing football. Following high school, Norman began a sixty-plus year career in carpentry. He was a master woodworker and had an eye for detail, as well as a “calibrated eye-ball”. During the next few years, he became a Father, one of the most proud roles of life, to June (Barker) Brosius, Norman Barker, and Timothy Barker. During his late 20s, Norman met his beloved, Carol (McFee), they married and enjoyed almost 30 years of marriage before her passing in 1999. Out of this wonderful relationship came his children Amy (Barker) Campbell and Andrew Barker. Norman was wildly supportive of his children and anyone that was subject to the proud stories of his family, surely grew tired of hearing them. During his later years in life, he and his wonderful and supporting wife, Laurie (Carney) Barker, enjoyed traveling to Branson, taking care of their animals, dancing at the Elks lodge, and spending time with kids and grandkids. They enjoyed 19 years of marriage together. Norman was a member of the Springdale, AR Elks club and a Beta Sigma Phi Envoy husband.

Norman is survived by his wife, Laurie (Carney) Barker, children June (Mike) Brosius, Norman (Robin) Barker, Timothy (Vicki) Barker, Amy (Steven) Campbell, and Andrew (Carrie) Barker, stepdaughter Deborah (Barry) Wethers, and grandchildren Angus Middleton, Ayla (Luke) Schilling, Chelsea Barker, Leslea Barker, Brent (Amber) Barker, Travis Barker, Kevin Barker, Colby Campbell, Lauren Milam, Audrey Milam, Sybil Campbell, Madisyn Barker, Jamon Barker, and Taylor (Dusti) Wethers, one step grandson Mayson Stroh and one great-grandson Cyrus Schilling. He is also survived by his sisters, Beverly (Jack) Bottoms, Sheryl Farris, Wendy (David) Baker, and Cindy (Kevin) Archer and many nieces and nephews.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Beverly Barker, and siblings Jack Barker, Martha Ousley, Ramona Barker, and infant brothers Christopher Barker and Robert Barker, his wife Carol, and one stepson Michael Stroh.

Family will receive friends on Thursday evening November 4, 2021 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Luginbuel Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be held Friday, November 5, 2021 - 10:00 a.m. at Luginbuel Chapel. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery in Elkins, Arkansas, there will be no graveside service held.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Willard Walker Hospice Home 325 Longview Dr. Fayetteville, Arkansas 72703.