Thomas Richards Barker

Thomas Richards Barker, 90, passed away Tuesday, June 5, 2012, in Sparta, Tenn. He joins his beloved wife, Sally, and his parents, Brig. Gen. Harold R. and Beatrice W. Barker.

Born on Nov. 29, 1921, in Providence, R.I., he received his BA and MBA at Cornell University. He served in WWII in Europe and received medals for valor and bravery. He also served during the Korean War, in Germany. Maj. Barker was a third-generation Rhode Island Field Artilleryman and after the wars he married Sally Ann West, who had served in the Navy. They had four children, Stephen, Jennifer, Cynthia and Nicholas.

Barker worked for the Gorham Silver Co. for 21 years, and later as a Minnesota real estate broker and property manager. He moved to Key West and was the property manager for Key West by the Sea. Barker or 'Ritty,' as he was called by his sister and others, spent many hours in Key West doing volunteer work for the community, including at St. Peter's Church. He and Sally moved back to Minnesota, where he worked as a volunteer, rehabbing low-income housing with Project for Pride in Living (PPL) of Minneapolis.

'Ritty' leaves behind his four children and 11 grandchildren; Wesley, Andrew, Allison, Michelle, Steven, Dana, Melissa, Elizabeth, Jacob, Maria and Elena; plus eight great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his sister, Ann-Francis Ford of Key West, Fla., and his brother-in-law, Thomas A. West. Internment is private at Swan Point Cemetery, Providence, R.I.

Memorials may be sent to: Project for Pride in Living (PPL) of Minneapolis, MN, Phone 612-455-5100, Fax: 612-455-5101, Email: ppl@ppl-inc.org.