Robert Crowe Barker, M.D.

He was born in Memphis, TN on March 17, 1937 to the late Dr. Harold Grey Barker and Norma Latta Crowe Barker. He was the oldest son of three children. He was a graduate of Humboldt High School where he played football for the HHS Rams. In his early years as a teenager, he was a very accomplished horseman of Tennessee Walking Horses and won many ribbons and trophies in addition to winning Reserve Two Year Champion on his beloved Ebony’s Easter Bonnet at the age of only seventeen years old.

He was a graduate of Ole Miss where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and then went on to graduate from the University of Tennessee with his Medical Doctor degree in 1962. While in medical school, he studied in the library at Rhodes College – he was such a gentleman the librarian allowed him to study in the Rhodes Library. He served his residency at Baptist Memorial Hospital and served as a major surgeon at Humboldt General Hospital where he was named Chief of Staff four times. He was named the 2007 Doctor of the Year. He served 53 years in private practice. He was the team physician for over 25 years for Humboldt Junior High and High School football and basketball teams. He also served as the research doctor for various pharmaceutical companies.

He was a member of Humboldt First United Methodist Church where he was appointed to and served the Pastor/Parish Relations. Dr. Barker was best known for his home grown tomatoes and grew a wide variety of roses. He was an award-winning amateur photographer and loved to take photos of nature. He also attended every sporting, cheerleading, and dance recital he could and loved taking action shots of all his grandchildren which he framed and proudly displayed.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Louise Barker; children, Kathryn Anne Barker (James) Matheny, Kevin Robert (Dena) Barker, Kyle J. Barker; Grandchildren Connor Matheny, Anne Elizabeth Matheny, Madeline Claire Matheny, Tyler Barker, Lauren Barker, Olivia Barker, Jonathon C. Harrison Granddaughter ReAnna Harrison great grandson Rance Beesley; sister Carol Barker Robinson; niece, Beth Williams; nephew, Grey Barker.

Your family has a lot of pride and love for you! Our Hero! We Love You!

The family will receive friends and loved ones from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Humboldt.

The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Humboldt with Rev. Alan Grant officiating. Entombment will follow in the mausoleum at Highland Memorial Gardens.