Pride Eugene Barker

 
Pride Eugene Barker, 52, of Chester, VA, son of Judith (Judy) and the late Ralph Eugene Barker of Grayson, KY passed away January 12, 2023.  He is survived by devoted and loving wife Tina Barker; children, Jacob Pride Barker, FL; Katherine Barker, KY; Eren Barker, MA; stepchildren, Melissa Funkhouser (Patrick) of TN; Tom Shenk (Leigh) of VA; siblings Angela Barker Thomas (Bob) of KY, Lesa Fawn Barker of KY (deceased during infancy); Crystal Barker (Rosalinda) of NV, Lad Ralph Barker of KY; nephew Braxton Barker, KY; step grandchildren Logan Funkhouser, Landon Funkhouser, Taylor Shenk, and Ryleigh Shenk; steadfast hometown friend Curt Ferguson; and fishing buddy Clay Miller.  He shared a very special bond with his mother and brought her roses when he visited.  
 
Pride was a graduate of East Carter High School in Grayson, KY (1987) and the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO (1991).  He completed pilot training in Columbus, MS.  After his Air Force career concluded in Minot, ND he worked as an environmental engineer technician at Material Testing Services, Minot, ND; mechanical engineer for the AK Steel Coke Plant in Ashland, KY; chemical engineer and plant manager at Honeywell in Hopewell, Virginia; and chemical engineer and manager at AdvanSix in Chester, VA.
 
In spare time he enjoyed home projects, gardening, birdwatching, and was very passionate about boating and fishing on the James River, accompanied by his tiny Yorkie watchdog companions Scout and Johnny Cash. 
 
He was a member of Free and Accepted FreeMasons Trimble Lodge 145 (1991-2003) Grayson, KY and was always a FreeMason at heart.
 
As a member of Water’s Edge Church, he was baptised with his wife in Yorktown, VA. On the morning of his passing, his Kentucky home trembled in a heavy thunderous boom as he departed at Mach speed to be welcomed into his father’s open arms, received by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
 
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at the Lewis and Ferguson Funeral Home of Sandy Hook, KY at 11:00 AM. Friends are welcome 10:00 AM Saturday.
 

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