Joe S. Barker

Joe Shelby Barker died November 3^rd in Bullard, TX at the age of 96. Visitation will be at Kimble Funeral Home in Junction Monday, November 7^th from 5-7 pm.  A graveside service will be held in Junction at 11:00 am November 8^th with Charles Hagood officiating.

Joe Barker was born April 22, 1926, in Post, Texas to Joel and Laura Barker. His family later moved to Brady, Texas and then to Junction where he attended high school. At age fourteen he began driving a produce truck for his father.  At age 16 he was hired as a freight hauler for Alamo Freight Lines on their San Antonio to El Paso Route, and later drove a dump truck to support military construction efforts early in WW II.  After turning eighteen he joined the U.S. Navy and spent fourteen months at sea during WW II on the PCE 900 stationed out of Pearl Harbor.  Returning to Junction after the war he continued his courtship with Norma Kirkpatrick and they were married on May 3, 1947, in Austin, TX.  Joe and his brothers Leon and James operated the Texangle Service Station in Junction for several years.  Joe later joined his brother Clovis Barker in the grocery business, and they operated Barker’s Food Store in Junction for more than 30 years. After retiring from the grocery business in 1981 Joe and Norma enjoyed RVing with friends and family and spending summers in New Mexico.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Clovis, Leon, James and Bobby and his sister Dorothy Nell Phillips. He is survived by his wife Norma, his three sons and their wives Joe and Oralia Barker of Uvalde, Jerry and Joanna Barker of Brady, and Tim and Ellen Barker of Tyler, grandchildren Cody Barker, Jeremy Barker, Sarah Tiprigan, Lauren Monaco, Joshua Barker, and Nathanael Barker and 10 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He left a legacy of hard work, and commitment to family - particularly to his wife Norma of 75 years.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kimble Funeral Home. (325) 446-3076