Keith Barker (Mansfield)'s Obituary
Keith Edmund Barker, son of Edmund E. (Dick) and Chloe Harryman Barker, was born February 22, 1957 in Branson, Missouri and departed this world on March 18, 2015 in Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri at the age of fifty-eight years and twenty-six days.
In June of 1992, he was united in marriage to Beth Dedmon and to this union a daughter, Hannah Victoria, was born.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Keith is survived by his daughter, Hannah Barker, of Mansfield, Missouri, a lifelong best friend/sister, Teresa Behle of Hollister, Missouri, and a host of family and friends. Keith also had a great love for dogs and will be missed by his beloved dachshunds.
He was a lifelong resident of the Hollister/Branson area, graduating from Hollister High School in the Class of 1975. He attended The School of the Ozarks for three years before graduating from the University of Missouri with a degree in Law Enforcement. He worked for twenty years in the law enforcement field as a police officer with the Hollister and Branson Police Department and finishing his career as a deputy sheriff with the Taney County Sheriff’s Department.
Keith was active in civic affairs, serving as a trustee on the Taney County Health Department for five years. He also served on the Executive Board for the Missouri Deputy Sheriff’s Association for nine years. He was very active with free Masonry. He was a member of Forsyth Lodge #453 and Sparta Lodge #296; past master and an endowed member of the Forsyth Lodge; Zabud Council #25, Springfield Chapter, and St. John’s Commandery #20 all of the York Rite in Springfield, Missouri; a 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason and an endowed member of the Valley of Joplin Scottish Rite; Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Temple in Springfield. He had been a member of the Greene and Taney Shrine Clubs and the Yaban unit. He was a charter member of the Hospital Dad’s Unit and also served as their secretary, hospital chairman and assistant captain. He was currently serving as the President of the Past Master’s Unit.
He was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Haworth Chapter #32, Jewel Court #16, Order of the Amaranth, Ozark Order #109, Sword of Bunker Hill. Keith was active with the Masonic Youth Group and The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. He was a past member of both the Republic #84 and Taneycomo #100 advisory boards and currently a member of Friendship #15 advisory board. He was a past Rainbow Dad of Taneycomo Assembly and was Master of the Grand Cross of Color, Mark/Friendship #15.
Keith professed his faith in Jesus Christ at nine years of age. He was a member of the Old Branson Pentecostal Church as well as the First Baptist Church of Forsyth.
He was a lifelong and proud fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He would never miss a game and would always write “It’s a Winner” after each Cardinal win.
Keith was a loving father and will be missed by his daughter and many, many friends who he had a close relationship with through his work and masonic ties.
Eastern Star and Masonic Services will start at 10:00 a.m. with visitation to follow until service time.
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