FARMINGTON – Lester E. Barker Jr., 79, of Farmington, a hard working man died Thursday night, August 28,2008 at his home, surrounded by his family.
He was born Aug. 16, 1929 in Farmington, the son of Lester E. Sr., and Phyllis (Duley) Barker. He attended New Vineyard and Farmington Schools, and then went to work on the family farm. He married Elena Dickey in Kingfield on May 24, 1947. His first job outside of the farm was Forster Manufacturing Company. Les then went to work for the State of Maine D.O.T. and during that time he was employed as a constable for the Town of Farmington. Next came years of driving a concrete truck for Readi-Mix Concrete, then in 1972 he started Barker and Sons Concrete Contractors, which still exists today.
He was a member of the former Farmington Boosters Club, a lifetime member of the West Farmington Fire Dept., also the Temple and Salem ATV Clubs. Junior was an active member of the Farmington Elks Lodge, where he was awarded “Elk of the Year” in March. He was also a devoted supporter of the Fairbanks School Neighborhood Association and a member of the Fairbanks Union Church.
What made his life complete and his greatest source of pride was his family where he was the center of attention. Activities he enjoyed the most were the Barker outings, annual fishing and hunting trips with the boys and his buddies to Rock Pond and Ragged Lake. He especially enjoyed the camping trips with all of his family to Natanis Point, Hermit Island, Moosehead Lake and Deer Farm Campgrounds. He also enjoyed NASCAR, horseshoes, pool and the family cribbage tournaments.
Survivors include his wife, Elena of 61 years, children: Marjorie Taylor, Cynthia Kemble and her husband Roger, Celia Flint and her husband David, Carole Sweetser and her husband Merle, Cleo Barker, George L. and his wife Sharon, Joel and his wife Tammy and a daughter-in-law, Nancy Barker. Nineteen grandchildren; Marsha, Robert, Faith, Jay, Tom, Chris, Amy, Jamie, Jennifer, Kristy, Kimberly, Sarah, Matthew, Amanda, Melanie, Jacob, Erin, Ryan, and Robert. Twenty four great grandchildren. A sister Cheryl Schanz, two brothers, Louie and Clyde Barker, several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and one great granddaughter due in December. He is predeceased by a son Donn in 2007, a son in-law Bobby Taylor in 2002 and a sister Betty Ellis.
A public memorial service will be held at the Fairbanks Union Church on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008 at 11 a.m. The following evening Sept. 5, 2008 there will be a public memorial service at the Elks Lodge in West Farmington at 7:00 PM. Interment will take place at a later date at Fairview Cemetery in Farmington.
Those wishing may make donations in Junior’s memory to a scholarship fund to be set up by the family for a worthy candidate in the construction or trades field c/o Cynthia Kemble at Barker and Sons Concrete Contractors, P.O. Box 505, Farmington, ME 04938 or in Les Barker’s name toward the Elk’s Fence and Backyard Recreation Area Fund, Farmington BPOE #2430, c/o Ed Podgurski, P.O. Box 526, West Farmington, Maine 04992
Arrangements are under the direction of Adams~McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Services 108 Court St. Farmington, ME
