Ernest Chester Barker

Mr. Ernest Chester Barker, age 72, of Scroggins, passed away on Monday, October 7, 2013 in Mt. Pleasant after a brief illness. Ernie was born on March 9, 1941, in Kerrville, to the late Chester Ben Barker and Velma N. Austin Barker. An only child, he came from humble beginnings and learned early in life the importance of having a loving family for support. His father and uncles worked as stone masons in Kerrville, and as a young man Ernie worked with them but dreamed of going to college to study architecture. He joined the United States Army instead after high school. The Army trained Ernie to serve as a member of the Military Police, and he was stationed at Saigon during the Vietnam War.

Before he left for Saigon, Ernie met the love of his life, Peggy Ann Fluegge, when she was just 16, and he was 20. They met through his cousin, who attended San Antonio College with Peggy. The young couple dated for several years, and after he returned from serving his country, they married on August 6, 1965. They lived briefly in the San Antonio area before moving to Irving so Ernie could take a job with Braniff Airlines, where he worked as an aircraft mechanic.

After Braniff went out of business, Ernie and his long-time friend Billy Mauldin started their own business, B&M Masonry. During this time they built rock walls, waterfalls, and provided specialty landscaping services for their clients. The work was creative and fulfilling, but hard on his body. Later Ernie changed careers to the appliance repair business, and he learned the heating and air conditioning repair business from his cousin, Charles Herring. Erne also worked in his later years for Circuit City as a supervisor in the appliance repair division.

Ernie was a proud father of two sons, Ernie and Kelly. He enjoyed taking his boys hunting and fishing and to play golf. When the boys were young, Ernie and Peggy took them camping a lot to lakes and state parks. Ernie believed it was very important to stay in touch with family and friends. He and Peggy enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with friends and extended family members. After his sons grew up and married and had families of their own, Ernie loved to spend time with his grandchildren. He took them on frequent golf cart rides at their home on Lake Bob Sandlin.

In their retirement years, Ernie and Peggy joined Clearwater Baptist Church in Scroggins. One of Ernie’s proudest moments happened last year when he was honored to become a deacon for the church.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Peggy Barker of Scroggins; two sons, Ernest Frank Barker and wife Susan of Waxahachie, and Kelly Wayne Barker and wife Sandra of Newark, TX.; and four grandchildren, Ben, Grace, Sarah, and Elizabeth.

Donations and memorials may be made to The American Cancer Society or the Clearwater Baptist Church Benevolence Fund.