John "Jack" L. Barker's Obituary
John L. (Jack) Barker, 79, died in Petoskey, MI. on August 14, 2022. He was a resident of Belleair, FL and Charlevoix, MI. Jack was born on April 18, 1943, son of Dr. John G. Barker and R. Leone Shrider Barker, at Saratoga General Hospital in Detroit, MI. He graduated from Lakeview High School in Saint Clair Shores, MI in 1961, and Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1966. Upon graduation, Jack joined the tax practice of global CPA firm Lybrand, Ross Brothers and Montgomery in Detroit. He also proudly served in the United States Air Force Reserves for seven years achievingthe rank of 1st Lt. In 1973, Jack opened his own firm, John L. Barker, CPA, PC., which served Southeast Michigan with distinction for thirty years. Much to his pleasure, his daughter Julie, and grandson Kevin have followed in his footsteps becoming CPAs.
Jack is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Diane (De Tavernier) Barker. He will be dearly missed by his 2 children, Jack, Jr. (Marnie) and their 3 children, Haley Barker Beamish (Nick), Bradley (Laura), and Brendan and Julie Barker Daniels (Doug) and their 3 children, Kevin, John and Brian. He is also survived by his great-granddaughter Quinn Beamish.
He was a loving and nurturing father, who thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his children. He was generous with his time and love and was always ready to tell a good story. It was all part of what made him a special fun-loving person. He was very passionate about his beloved Detroit Lions and never missed a game. Each year, he was so hopeful that someday he would witness the Honolulu blue and silver in a Super Bowl. He accomplished many things in his 79 years on this earth He felt traveling was a great source of education and has been to all 50 states. He shared this passion with his family by taking them on historic ‘field trips’, fondly named by his children. He wanted his children to learn everything possible about the history of the United States and the local areas they visited. They traveled from Maine to Washington, D.C., Boston to the Badlands and Hawaii, always knowing there would be quizzes. Through all this travel, his absolute favorite place on earth was Charlevoix the Beautiful where he was able to spend parts of 58 years. He was a gifted, multi-sport athlete. He played tennis in high school and college. He bowled a 300 game when he was 15 with his right hand. He shot 2 holes-in-one in the 1990’s swinging left-handed. He was a switch hitter in baseball and fast-pitch softball, and played catcher and 3rd base. He greatly enjoyed coaching baseball, football and soccer, which involved the entire family. He was a positive role model and taught young people to work hard and to believe in themselves. He coached his son, Jack for 2 years in baseball and 5 years in flag football in Sterling Heights. He was able to arrange a football game for his team after a Lions game in the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, MI. They finished that season with a combined score of 256-0. He also enjoyed coaching Julie’s soccer teams for 3 fun-filled successful years. While he knew nothing about soccer, he cleverly had the forwards wear green hair ribbons, the mid-field wear yellow and the defense wear red so he would know if they were in their correct positions. His creativity and passion for the game lead the ‘house’ team from Troy to a national tournament in Ohio. He was a top-level gamesman. With his brother-in-law, David, he became a chess champion in southeast Michigan. He and his wife played bridge for over 50 years and there wasn’t a card or board game he didn’t like. He was a perfect blend of a fierce competitor and a good sport, always looking for an intellectual challenge. Winning any game 3 times in a row against the same competitor(s), would award the winner the distinction of being the World Champion. He had the same intensity whether he was working or playing. We will miss (RCHIEF) and his radiant smile.
Visitation Monday, August 22, 2022 from 2-8 pm at Ford Funeral Home, 26560 Van Dyke (South of 11 Mile Road or the I-696 expressway) Center Line, Michigan. Instate at St. Mary, Our Lady Queen of Familes Catholic Church (St. Clement site) 25320 Van Dyke (North of 10 Mile Road), Center Line, Michigan on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 from 10 am until time of Prayer Service 10:30 am, with Fr. Robert Bauer presiding. Interment Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park, Clearwater, Florida. Monday, September 12, 2022 at 2:00PM
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