Rev. Thomas (Tom) E. Barker, retired United Church of Christ minister, passed away on August 18, 2016 after a brief illness. He was born October 8, 1934 in Concord, N.H., son of the late George and Irene (Atkinson) Barker. During his over fifty-year career, Rev. Barker ministered to congregations in New Hampshire (Newington, Wakefield, Epsom, Goffs Falls, Newfields, Auburn); Massachusetts (Tyngsboro, Merrimac, Woburn, Maynard, Rockland, Bradford) and North Berwick, ME. An Exeter resident since 1942, he graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy, winning varsity letters in cross country, and winter and spring track. He was educated at Dartmouth College, and received his bachelor's degree at University of New Hampshire, and his divinity degree at Andover Newton Theological Seminary. He was known for his abundant, sometimes quirky sense of humor, his love of presidential history, and his affection for his cats. Tom was a member of the Mount Horeb Masonic Lodge in Woburn, MA. and attended many meetings at Star in the East Masonic Lodge of Exeter. He was also an avid Boston Red Sox and Boston Braves fan. He leaves his beloved wife of thirty-one years, Elaine (Keeler) Barker, his daughter Dianne C. Barker married to Peter Danckert of Calabasas, CA, his son Paul D. Barker married to Lorraine of Clermont, FL, and his step-daughters Lynne Aslin married to Jim of Derry, NH and Carole Stewart partner of Stephanie Page of Hooksett, NH. Other beloved children with his former wife, now deceased, Judie (Cole) Page include Karen E. Barker and Sheryl (Barker) Wise, also deceased. He also leaves his adored grand-daughters Amanda Maloney of Millbury, MA, Angela Jagminas of Wakefield, MA, Ashley Cushing of Millbury, MA and Brittany LeBrun of Hooksett, NH. He also was blessed with three adorable great-grandsons and a great-granddaughter on the way. He also is survived by his first cousins Marilyn Tilbury of Hampton, NH, Sally Parent of Hamilton, MA and Katie Atkinson, formerly of Ipswich, MA. Predeceasing him, was Evelyn Toleus of Beverly, MA, another one of his personally close cousins.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, August 25, 2016 from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Brewitt Funeral Home, 14 Pine St., Exeter, NH.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, August 26, 2016 at 10:00 AM at the Greenland Community Congregational Church, 4 Church Ln., formerly 10 Post Rd., Greenland, NH.
Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery, Ipswich, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Greenland Community Congregational Church Memorial Fund, Greenland, NH 03840.