Thomas H. Barker, 81, of Adrian, joined the Lord after passing away peacefully at home January 12, 2025, while under the care of Hospice of Lenawee. He was born October 24, 1943, in Lorain, OH, the son of George and Glendora (Palmer) Barker.
Tom proudly served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corp from 1961 until his honorable discharge in 1965. He didn’t talk about it much and no one really knows what happened, but Tom was awarded a Purple Heart while serving in Vietnam.
Tom married Cheryl Sue Wood in Adrian on July 15, 1967, after winning her affection over two of his brothers. Together, Tom and Cheryl raised three daughters Pamela (Eliot) Parker of Addison, Catherine (John) McClelland of Lake Mary, FL, and Stephanie (Mario) Coronado of Adrian, and cherished more than 57 years of companionship.
Tom was known as a friendly fellow, quick with a joke. Due to Tom’s good nature, the Barker home became the “Kool-Aid” house of the neighborhood when the girls were growing up. Tom never minded loud games of front yard wiffle ball or hide and seek, even after a long day of work when he just wanted to nap.
If you were to ask his daughters about some of their fondest memories about their dad, all three would mention Friday night bowling at Lenawee Rec. He would order up cheeseburgers and pop and was generous with quarters for Pac Man and Space Invaders.
Tom was also an avid gardener. He enjoyed planting tomatoes, cucumbers, and zucchini squash in his backyard garden. He had quite the green thumb, just ask the neighbors who always enjoyed his vegetable deliveries. When the girls were younger Tom always managed to get the neighborhood kids to help shuck peas.
Tom will always be remembered for his strong work ethic. He was employed as a supervisor at Hill Manufacturing in Wauseon, OH for 22 years. He was so valued he continued working even after he “retired”. Prior to Hill Manufacturing, Tom worked nearly 20 years for Budd Company in Clinton, MI.
In addition to Cheryl and his daughters, Tom is survived by brothers, Mike (Carol) and Everet; sisters, Mary Lou Morrow, Janet Morrow, Carol (Dale) Kleota, Linda (Ira) Morrow, Nancy Giglioti, and Joan Spike; grandchildren, Jessica (RJ) Risner, Emily, Casey, and Kylie Parker, and Caroline and Alec McClelland; and great grandchildren Aliya and Sebastian Risner.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Dennis, Edward, Gary, Robert, and Terry; sisters, Shirley Easterday and Ruth Ann Wood; grandson, Dustin Parker; brothers-in-law Al Gigliotti, Paul Morrow, Eli Lee, and Ron Morrow; and sister-in-law Sharon Barker.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, January 17, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian. A funeral service for Tom will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, beginning at 11 a.m. at Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian, with Pastor Doug Rogers, of Berean Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery in Adrian.
Friends can express sympathies to the family online at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions in honor of Tom may be made to Hospice of Lenawee. Arrangements were made with the guidance of the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.