Arthur Gale Barker was born March 2, 1946, in Sayre, to Marguerite Lois “Short” (Atha) Barker and Arthur Theodore “Chick” Barker. He passed away May 30, 2019, at Elk City, at the age of 73 years, two months and 28 days.
Gale grew up in Durham, where he attended school until the school closed. He then attended Reydon Schools where he graduated in 1964.
After graduation he attended Sayre Junior College before he entered the United States Navy where he served on the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk. Gale served in the Gulf of Tonkin until he was assigned to a training squadron at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, until 1969. In 1970 when he was deployed with the squadron to Vietnam on the aircraft carrier USS Ranger VVA 61 until 1971. He received an honorable discharge in 1971 after attaining the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer. He also received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Presidential Unit Commendation.
After leaving the Navy Gale lived in Wichita, Kan., where he worked for Cessna before moving back to Durham, where he began his career in the insurance industry where he was an adjuster and also had his own agency. During this time he continued to take care of his cattle and raise wheat. He served as a volunteer firefighter for Reydon, Delhi and the Sayre communities for 20 plus years.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and board member of the Roger Mills County EMS. Gale enjoyed being a pilot and flying, plowing, caring for his cattle, traveling and studying genealogy.
He is preceded in death by his parents and step mother, Florine Lackey Barker.
He is survived by his wife, Zoe Ann, of the home; seven children, Gayla Ann Barker and significant other Pam Lowery of Yukon; Shonna Stewart and husband Rodney of Sayre, Greg Barker and wife Theresa, of Durham, Molly Lindenfelser and husband Robby of Reydon, Polly Walker and husband Randy of Merritt, Keri Hall and husband Aaron of Sayre, and Julie Grieb and husband Jesse of Owasso; 17 grandchildren, Brandon, Jerod, Sam, Jacob, Kade, Kole, Alisha, Audry, Zerekai, Cody, Dusty, Christian, Creed, Casen, Addison, Riely and Karter; two great-grandchildren, Zander and Remington; one brother, Gerry Barker and wife Carolyn of Sayre; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Services will be held Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at the Reydon Community Center. Burial will be at the White Rose Cemetery under the direction of Rose Chapel Funeral Service. Condolences can be made online at www.whineryfs.com.