Ronald Rhodes Barker II, 48, passed away on May 9, 2023. Born on October 28, 1974, in New London, Connecticut, he was welcomed with love through adoption into the Barker family when he was four months old.
Ron graduated from Washington High School in 1992. Before his disabilities prevented him from working, he worked at Jasper Engines and Transmissions.
Left behind to miss him are his children Kaitlyn Barker of Washington, and Devyn (Miranda) Barker, and sweet granddaughter Eastlynne Rae of Otwell, Indiana. Also surviving are his mother, Peggy Barker; sister Karen (Reed) Hamm, of Washington, brother Davie (Lorrie) of Corrales, New Mexico.
Ron had several passions in his short life: his family, bowling, the St. Louis Cardinals, Ford Mustangs, and National Public Radio. His long-time wish was to be a professional bowler, and he had several accomplishments of which he was proud. He had a total of seven perfect 300 games, one of which occurred during an ABC National tournament that earned him a place in the USBC Hall of Fame in St. Louis, Missouri. In a time period of one year, he was the singles, doubles, and team all-around champion both in the Washington and Jasper leagues. He had two 800 series (three games of 267 or higher scores per game), one of which helped his Jasper team earn the City Championship.
Waiting for him in heaven are his dad, Dan Barker, a grandson, Hayden Isaac, and grandparents Ben and Vera Chatfield and Oral and Lois Wineinger.
Services will be held at Sugarland Memory Gardens on May 11, 2023, with visitation from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. and a small service to occur after.
