Louis Hale Barker

Louis Hale Barker, age 87, passed away Tuesday, January 15, 2013. He was born September 11, 1925, in Pratt, Kansas to the late Louis H. and Lena Bergner Barker Sr.He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp in 1943. He was sent to Gunnery School in Salt Lake City, Utah and Kingman, Arizona and then to Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, where he was honorably discharged in June 1944.

In 1946 Louis began his life long career in the Electrical Supply Industry. He took a position with Graybar Electric Supply in Wichita, Kansas. In 1948 Graybar transferred him to Houston, Texas.

In 1950 he was recalled by the US Army for the Korean Conflict. He was sent to Chatham Air Force Base near Savannah, Georgia. He was deployed to England in 1951. At this time he was diagnosed with tuberculosis, and spent the next two years recovering in Denver, Colorado at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital.

Louis was discharged from the Army in 1953, and he resumed his career in the electrical business working as an outside salesman for Southern Electric Supply. He worked for Southern for four years in the Houston, Corpus Christi and Beaumont markets. Louis took a position as an outside salesman for the Jim Tuite Company, a manufacturer’s agent in Houston, Texas. He managed a large sales territory from Brownsville, Texas to Shreveport, Louisiana

In 1958, Louis met Jeanne Tietze at the La Fonda Apartments in Houston, where they both resided. Louis and Jeanne Barker were married November 2, 1959 and remained married for 53 years. They had four children, Stephen, Robin, Amy, and Thomas Barker.

Louis’s true calling was as an Entrepreneur and in 1968 he had an opportunity to buy shares of a small electrical distributor in Victoria, Texas, Mid-Coast Electric Supply. In 1976 Louis moved the family to Victoria and took an active role in Mid-Coast Electric Supply. A few years later in 1980, Louis bought out his partner, William “Mac” McKinney becoming the sole owner. For the next 20 years Louis built Mid-Coast Electric into a profitable and successful business operating throughout South Texas. Today Mid-Coast Electric Supply is the dominant electrical distributor in the area, with 7 locations around South Texas.

Throughout his life Louis was an avid traveler visiting countries all over the world. Apart from business his real love was ranching. He managed small ranching operations in Columbus and Westhoff, Texas; overseeing all aspects of cattle production. He loved the land and growing things.

Louis is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jeanne Barker as well as his children and grandchildren. They are Stephen Barker and wife Mary Cay Barker, grandchildren Morgan, Sydney and Robin Barker. Robin Reamer and husband Scott Reamer, grandchildren, Rhodes, Alexis and Lillianna Reamer. Amy Woodall and husband Gregg Woodall, grandchildren, Emma and Caz Woodall. Thomas Barker and wife Elise Barker, grandchildren, Max and Julia Barker.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Galen Barker; and sisters, Helen Dyer and Frances Travers.

The Family would like to extend a special thanks to Marilyn Keen for the loving care she gave to Louis for the many years he was at home; and to the wonderful devoted caregivers at AlzCare.

Visitation will be held 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Friday, January 18, 2013 at Colonial Funeral Home, 1801 E. Red River, Victoria, Texas.

Private graveside services will be held by the family prior to the funeral service with full military honors under Auspices of Victoria County Veterans Council, AL, CWV, VFW, DAV, MCL, MOWW, Ex-POW, MOPH, VVA and the KWV. Serving as pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 am Saturday, January 19, 2013 at First United Methodist Church, 407 N. Bridge St., Victoria, Texas, with the Rev. Marilyn Roeder officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church Foundation Fund, Alzheimer’s Association, or Hospice of South Texas.

Words of comfort may be shared with the Family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com