Arthur "Tom" Thomas Barker

The Apostle Paul writes; while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord, but if we are absent from the body, we will be with the Lord. Arthur Thomas (Tom) Barker, made a permanent change of address on Saturday, May 15, 2021. He fought a 4-year battle with a rare Sarcoma Cancer. Tom was born on April 3, 1938 to Charlie Thomas and Della Susan (Wagoner) Barker, at home, at the head of Sinking Creek near Gimlet Kentucky.

He moved to Crestline Ohio area in 1957 for employment. He met Judith Carol Henderson, and they were married January 31,1959, she preceded him in death on November 13, 2016.

Tom spent all 45 years of his working life at one place. It started out as All-Steel, then Hercules, then Peabody, then EZ Pack, and in 2001 he retired when it was McClain Industries. He started as a general laborer and finished as a pressure welder for hydraulic tanks.

In his early years he enjoyed hunting with his friends, especially coon hunting. As he grew a little older his after work hobby was Work! You could find him on various roofs, porches, decks, pouring concrete, laying block or brick, remodeling houses, and even building them. He was not one to lie on the couch. As he matured and his body got weaker he turned all of his interests to the Bible. He was a self-made scholar and had amassed a good size library of biblical scholars that he read daily. He was a very devout Christian that gave his life to the Lord at the age of 32 and never looked back. He also served his church as a Sunday School Teacher, Board member and First Elder. He was a longtime member of The Church of Christ in Christian Union, he also attended the Nazarene Church in Crestline, and since his illness he attended the live stream services of the Bucyrus Nazarene Church.
   
Tom is survived by his six children; Shawn (Terry) Coleman of Ontario; Kirby (Lisa) Barker of Ontario; Mark (Jaimie) Barker of Greentown Indiana; Dawn Barker of Ontario; Susan (Joe) Schell of Shelby; Paul (April) Barker of Bucyrus. Also nine grandchildren; Tania, Ty, Sebastian, Steven, Elizabeth, Kelsey, Kayla, Bryce, and John Thomas (JT). And his twelve great-grandchildren; Hannah, Paige, Sophie, Lincoln, Luke, Jedidiah, Isaiah, Conin, Stella, Kipton, Liam and Lilly. He is also survived by, one brother Leo Barker of Niles, Ohio and one sister, Ella Mae Porter of Elliottville, Ky.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Lowell Barker, Beecher Barker, George Barker, Henry Barker, James Barker, and Tallmadge Barker
   
The family would like to thank The James Cancer Center in Columbus Ohio for their compassion and the treatment that they provided. The Doctors and support staff was second to none. Also, Hospice of North Central Ohio for their care during this difficult time. And a special thanks to our sister Shawn Coleman for opening her house and all the excellent care that was provided during our dads last days on this earth.

Visitation with the family will be on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 from 5:00 to 8:00PM at Mark A. Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home; Crestline. Visitation will also be held on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 from 12:00 to the time of the service at 1:00pm at the Funeral Home, with Rev. Bob Jividen Officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery.

Those wishing to share a memory of Tom or send condolences to the Barker family may do so by visiting www.masfh.com.

The Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home, 223 W. Main Street, Crestline is honored to serve the family of Arthur "Tom" Thomas Barker.

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