John Patrick Barker

JOHN PATRICK BARKER was born Feb. 24, 1997, in Little Rock, the youngest child of Patty and Matt Barker. He died March 30, 2017, in San Francisco at the age of 20 from a traumatic brain injury following a skateboarding accident. Growing up in Little Rock, John excelled as a student. He attended Jefferson Elementary, Pulaski Heights Middle School, and Little Rock Central High School, where he won the "Most School Spirit" award for his senior class in 2015. He graduated from Central with honors as a member of the Cum Laude Society and the National Honor Society and received an academic scholarship to attend the University of San Francisco, where he was pursuing a business degree at the time of his death. An active member of First United Methodist Church, John participated in a wide range of church-sponsored activities, including overnight church lock-ins, the Quapaw Quarter breakfast program, and youth choir. He attended Ozark Mission Project multiple times. John's passion for sports was a constant throughout his life. He lettered in varsity soccer three times at Central High School. In addition to many years playing club soccer, he enjoyed playing church league basketball in Little Rock—at 6'3", he truly stood out on the court. Beyond his participation in team sports, John sought thrill and excitement in every hobby. He loved skateboarding and snowboarding and had a genuine passion for music. While living in San Francisco, he thrived on the music scene and attended live shows whenever he could. Never doing anything halfheartedly, John had a fearlessness and love of life that shone through every activity he took part in. John was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Bill Bowen, in 2015 and his paternal grandfather, Jim Barker, in 2005. He is survived by his parents, Patty and Matt Barker of Little Rock; his maternal grandmother, Connie Bowen; his paternal grandmother, Mary Barker; his siblings, Mary Katherine, Henry, and Will and Lauren Barker; his aunt and uncle, Cynthia and Charlie Blanchard; his uncle, Scott Bowen; his aunt, Ann Barker; and his many cousins. He also leaves behind countless friends he made in every stage of life and kept close throughout the years. John will be remembered especially as a great friend, devoted to his family—kind, loving, and unapologetically himself. He was a leader who made friends readily, put others at ease, and could always make people laugh. Honest, strong-willed, and confident, he was a leader and a risk-taker, full of exuberance and life. His service will be at the First United Methodist Church, Little Rock at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 8, with the Rev. David Freeman officiating. A reception will immediately follow the service at First United Methodist Church. Memorials are suggested to the John Barker Helmet Advocacy and Injury Prevention Fund at Arkansas Children's Hospital Injury Prevention Center. The family thanks their loved ones and John's multitude of friends for the outpouring of love and support.