A funeral service for Davis O’Neal Barker, 72, is scheduled for 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at First Methodist Church in Jacksonville with Rev. Russell Martin and Rev. Patrick Evans officiating. He will be laid to rest at Resthaven Memorial Cemetery.
Visitation will begin on Monday, May 22, 2023, with family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Autry Funeral Home, Jacksonville.
Davis was born on December 1, 1950, in Cleveland, Texas and passed away on May 17, 2023. Davis was thoroughly committed to education and invested 47 years in the lives of his students. He was also a former coach and had a strong passion for football and baseball as well as other sports. Davis was a deep thinker who spent much of his time “pondering” about things around him or issues of the day and such. He loved history and baseball and spent countless hours reading and researching both topics. Over the years, he contributed to several books on the subject of minor league baseball. He was always happy to share his knowledge with anyone who would listen.” Davis enjoyed his family and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Davis was preceded in death by his parents, Mancel and Maxine Barker, and wife, Linda Jane Barker.
Left to cherish Davis’s memory are his wife of 20 years, Debbie Barker of Jacksonville, and children, Craig Barker and wife Mystie of Kaufman, Meagan Martin and husband Russell of Crosby, and Shane Standfield and wife Kristi of Athens. His siblings are Kathy Barker of Jacksonville, and Susan Morris and husband Wendell of Jacksonville. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and loving friends.
Pallbearers will be Shane Stanfield, Dawson Barker, Shane Kim, Steven Morris, Mike Ricketts, Joshua Best, and Alec Tatum.
