Gene Barker, age 82, passed away Monday, October 11, 2021, at his home in Mount Pleasant, Tennessee.
Gene was born August 28, 1939, in Columbia, TN to the late Harold and Willie Matt Barker.
Gene was a lifelong resident of Mt. Pleasant. Gene loved Mt. Pleasant and spent his entire adult life building friendships and helping others in his hometown. He graduated from Hay Long High School and then went to Nashville Auto Diesel College. Following his time in Nashville, he worked with his dad mining phosphate with Consolidated Mining Company. He later went to work for Stauffer Chemical Company in Mt. Pleasant where he spent many years laughing with friends, wiring golf carts to shock the next rider, and even working on some days when there wasn’t much else going on. Gene also served Mt. Pleasant as a Maury County Commissioner for several years in the 1980’s. Gene finished his working career working for the Maury County Highway Department.
Gene met the love of his life, Linda Farris McAnally, while in High School at Haylong and, defeating all odds, convinced her to marry him. Gene and Linda would go on to spend 58 years together on their farm outside of Mt. Pleasant. Gene spent his life taking care of his family and doing things the right way. With a welder in hand, Gene could make anything.
For those who knew Gene over the years, you would know that Gene was always into something. Early in his life, he raced cars with his cousins Herb and Billy with D8 winning its fair share of Saturday night races. Linda eventually put an end to the car racing career especially after their son Mark was born. All through his life, Gene chased another obsession, eating catfish, over many counties. He always wanted to know “do you have whole fish?”, and, “are these river fish?”. It mattered to Gene. Again for those who knew him, Gene was known as a master bargainer. Everything was for sale as far as Gene was concerned and no price was ever the final price. He was tenacious when it came to cutting a deal and many have felt the weight of his skill over the years. Gene Barker was well known in the community of Mt. Pleasant that he loved and will be dearly missed.
Gene is survived by his wife: Linda Barker; son Mark and daughter in law Brandy; grand-children Avery and Jack; brother in law Pat Hickman and niece Lynn Keltner.
The family will receive friends Thursday, October 14, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Arlington Cemetery in Mount Pleasant. A graveside service will be held beginning at 12:00 p.m. with Brother Andy Pogue officiating.
Pallbearers are Bobby McGloffin, Buzz Floyd, Billy Rochelle, Paul Keltner, Joey Gibson, Kyle Thomas, Alan Franks, and David Edwards.
Honors Pallbearers are Pat Hickman, Sonny Cummins, Claude Brawner, Ray Brawner, Jimmy Mullins, Jerry McNeece, and Dave McGuire.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorial donations to be made to the Arlington cemetery care fund.
Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Condolences can be given to the family online at www.Williamsfh.com
