"Dick Barker is dead" was the word spoken by every one in Reydon last Saturday morning, June 7, 1930, he dying suddenly from a hemorrhage of the brain, at the age of 59 years, 9 months and 26 days.
R.S. Barker, the oldest son of James Taylor and Clementina Miller Barker, was born August 11, 1870, at Valeria, Jasper Co., Iowa. On January 26, 1896 he married Mary Barrett. Thirteen children blessed this union --Fred, James, Orville, Franklin, Earl Joseph, Mrs. Hazel Howell, Mrs. Mildred Butler, and Mrs. Irene Byers were born in Iowa and with their parents moved to Rankin, Oklahoma, in 1908 where the family has resided since, and the younger children were born, Glenn Richard, Arthur Theodore, Leora May, Edith Fern, Cleda Lucile, Ruby Marie and Ruth Lavern. Only once before has this family circle been broken when Ruby Marie at the age of nine died from burns by explosion of gas from a coal stove. - Jan. 1, 1927.
The twelve children now are a support of sustaining love and comfort to the mother, so shocked and bereaved by the sudden passing of her life companion. Although Mr. Barker had a severe illness last Christmas time, he had since been able to oversee his farming interests with the aid of his sons, Glen and Arthur.
Besides the mother and twelve children, there are eight grandchildren, five brothers, William M., Charley M., James H., and Alva C ., of Reydon, Oklahoma and Obadiah and one sister, Mrs. Rose Hay who lives in Iowa. Their brother and sister were not able to attend the funeral services which were held Tuesday June 10, 1930 at 2 p.m. at the Rankin school Auditorium and burial in the Rankin cemetery (now White Rose) Roger Mills County, Oklahoma. Rev. French Lancaster of Grimes preaching the sermon.
Mr. Barker was a man held in high esteem by all who knew him. Brought up in the old school which taught that a man's word should be as good as his bond, lived by that precept, honored for his integrity and sobriety. Living peaceably with man, he took an active part in all community activities. No man could have been more devoted to his family or more loved and respected by his children.
Cheyenne Star, Cheyenne, OK 12-Jun-1930