Obituary of Robert "Bob" Earl Barker

Robert (Bob) Barker September 4, 1939 – December 31, 2022 It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our loving husband, dad, cherished grandfather and faithful friend Robert (Bob) Barker at The Drayton Valley Hospital and Care Centre surrounded by the love of his family Saturday, December 31, 2022, at the age of 83 years. Bob is now free of pain and playing all those sports he loved so much. Bob leaves behind to remember, his true love and wife of 61 years, May; children, Andrea (Daren), Whitney and special niece Kari; grandchildren, Kyle (Lucy), Kendra, Chelsea, Megan, Kaiden and Kori (great niece); great-grandchildren, Oliver and Henry as well as several nephews and nieces. Bob is predeceased by his parents Gavin and Violet; siblings Mary Ibbotson, Lorne, Lloyd and Alymer Barker and nephew Neepin Thomason. Bob was a loving family man, natural athlete, avid woodworker and a person full of wisdom. As a young man, he excelled at all sports and used that same dedication and drive to establish a successful career in the Oilfield with Goliad / Amoco then into private business ownership. He was a respected business owner (Pembina Oil Separators, Northern Oil Separators and Tumbleweed Controls Ltd.) in Drayton Valley and active in the community; he donated his time, judging figure skating when his daughters skated, scout leader, ski patrol and he sat on various boards including FCSS. Bob travelled the world with the love of his life May, sharing many amazing experiences with her as well as his children and grandchildren. He was very involved in the United Church, he was a loyal Mason and a dedicated Shriner. Bob was awarded the 2011 Minister’s Seniors Service award and in 2012 the Rotarians Paul Harris award. The common thread was, Bob was a strong, humble, loving, kind and caring man who made a significant difference in the lives of those he met, whether it was for a moment, a period or a lifetime. Bob’s family would like to thank Dr. van Staden and the staff at the Drayton Valley Hospital and Care Centre. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Bob’s name, directly to the Shriners Hospital for Children or to the Drayton Valley Palliative Care Room. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held on Thursday January 12, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at the Mackenzie Conference Centre, Drayton Valley, Alberta. Condolences may be sent or viewed by visiting www.affinityfuneralservice.ca Arrangements in care of Dwayne Henley at: Affinity Funeral Service 5001 – 45 Avenue Drayton Valley, Alberta T7A 1L1 780.542.3338