Greg Barker

Dean Gregory “Greg” Barker, 75, went peacefully into the loving arms of his Savior on October 28, 2024 after a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer. A native of Hindman, KY, Greg was born on October 14, 1949, the son of the late Dr. and Mrs. Denzil G. Barker.

After a wonderful childhood in the hills of eastern Kentucky, Greg attended Virginia Tech University on a basketball scholarship, where he excelled academically, including being honored with the Wall Street Journal Award (Most Outstanding Senior in the College of Business). He earned his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Vanderbilt University, where he graduated near the top of his class and was an editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review. While at Vanderbilt, he met and married the love of his life, Sherry Willis Barker. After graduation, he moved to Houston, TX to work for Fulbright & Jaworski, L.L.P, where he worked for 33 years, making partner at the young age of 32.

Despite his many academic and professional accolades, Greg will be most remembered for being a loving husband and father. He loved Sherry with all of his heart and together they had three children, Whitney, Greg, and Leanne. Even with a demanding professional career, Greg rarely missed a family dinner and loved to coach his children’s sports teams and attend their performances. He spent countless hours with his children fishing or pulling them behind the boat at the family’s lake house. He treasured his family vacations, filled with love and laughter. His greatest joy was in simply spending time with his family. He was blessed with five grandsons and one granddaughter, and it was clear to all who knew him that he loved them immensely, never missing an opportunity to attend one of their games or just give them a hug and an encouraging word.

He was a faithful Christian and a devoted member of Tallowood Baptist Church, where he joyfully served as an usher and greeter. He was exceedingly humble and kind. Greg was fortunate to have many good friends, whom he loved well. In his later years, he loved to play golf, largely as an excuse to spend quality time with his friends, and was fortunate enough to have two holes-in-one! He was passionate about reading, music, and funny stories.

Greg is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sherry Barker; his daughter Whitney Roberts and husband Andrew Tafolla; son Greg Barker and wife Amy; James and Benjamin Roberts, Luke, Cale, Chase, and Haley Barker; sister Dennie Burke; and brother Mark Barker. He is preceded in death by his daughter Leanne Barker, mother Gladys Barker, and father Denzil Barker.

Funeral services will be held on November 2 at 12:30PM at Tallowood Baptist Church after a private burial. A reception will follow in the Chapel Reception Hall at Tallowood. A visitation will also be held on November 1 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorial contributions in Greg’s name be directed to:

The Tallowood Baptist Foundation

555 Tallowood Road

Houston, TX 77024

The Dr. and Mrs Denzil G. Barker Memorial Scholarship

Development Office, Alice Lloyd College

100 Purpose Road, Pippa Passes, KY 41844

MD Anderson Cancer Center

1515 Holcombe Blvd.

Houston, TX 77030