Post by Frank Johnson on Jan 20, 2023 21:14:31 GMT -6
John Alden Barker passed away on January 6, 2023 peacefully in his sleep at his home in Virginia Beach,
Virginia. John was born on July 10, 1946 to Beatrice Lorraine and Chester Harold Barker in Kirksville,
Mo. and raised in Galesburg, Ill. John was inspired by John F. Kennedy’s speech “Ask not what your
country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”. He made the decision to leave Galesburg
High School '64 during his senior year and join the U. S. Navy at the age of seventeen. He completed
his GED during boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in January of 1964. He attended several
schools after boot camp and reported aboard the USS Independence CVA62
aircraft carrier during the Vietnam War.
John truly enjoyed seeing the world while on the Independence and 3 other ships, the USS Edward
McDonnell DE1043, the USS Peterson DD969 and the USS Caron DD970. He had several shore duty tours including
the US Naval Communications Station in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. John advanced quickly through the ranks
and retired after 23 years and obtaining the rank of Master Chief. Left to cherish John’s memory is his
loving wife of twenty eight years Mary Myra Barker and step children Jon Joseph Barnes and Heather Marie Barnes.
John is survived by his first wife Diann Baillie Barker. From that union children, Angela Marie(Ken),
Trisha Ann Ucciardi, (Brian) and Jason Nathaniel were born who were the light in his eyes.
John is also survived by five grandchildren, Delaney Marie, Brianna Lee, Jackson Oliver, Kira Rose
and Lana Marie. John is predeceased by his parents and oldest sister Carol Ann Garlett. Left to mourn his
loss are sister Norma Jean Perez and brother Jeffry Morris Barker.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at the Altmeyer Funeral Home at 5033 Rouse
Drive in Virginia Beach. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 1 PM, at
the same location. The Burial will be at the Albert G. Horton Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, VA
following the service.
Virginia. John was born on July 10, 1946 to Beatrice Lorraine and Chester Harold Barker in Kirksville,
Mo. and raised in Galesburg, Ill. John was inspired by John F. Kennedy’s speech “Ask not what your
country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”. He made the decision to leave Galesburg
High School '64 during his senior year and join the U. S. Navy at the age of seventeen. He completed
his GED during boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in January of 1964. He attended several
schools after boot camp and reported aboard the USS Independence CVA62
aircraft carrier during the Vietnam War.
John truly enjoyed seeing the world while on the Independence and 3 other ships, the USS Edward
McDonnell DE1043, the USS Peterson DD969 and the USS Caron DD970. He had several shore duty tours including
the US Naval Communications Station in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. John advanced quickly through the ranks
and retired after 23 years and obtaining the rank of Master Chief. Left to cherish John’s memory is his
loving wife of twenty eight years Mary Myra Barker and step children Jon Joseph Barnes and Heather Marie Barnes.
John is survived by his first wife Diann Baillie Barker. From that union children, Angela Marie(Ken),
Trisha Ann Ucciardi, (Brian) and Jason Nathaniel were born who were the light in his eyes.
John is also survived by five grandchildren, Delaney Marie, Brianna Lee, Jackson Oliver, Kira Rose
and Lana Marie. John is predeceased by his parents and oldest sister Carol Ann Garlett. Left to mourn his
loss are sister Norma Jean Perez and brother Jeffry Morris Barker.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at the Altmeyer Funeral Home at 5033 Rouse
Drive in Virginia Beach. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 1 PM, at
the same location. The Burial will be at the Albert G. Horton Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, VA
following the service.