Christopher S. Barker III

Christopher S. Barker III was born February 11, 1942 while his father, Rear Admiral C. S. Barker, Jr was serving in the Pacific. Dorothy Dorsey Barker and her son Chris (also known to some as Buddy) resided in Highland Park, a suburb of Dallas, Tx where he was graduated from Highland Park High School in 1960. His military service was in The United States Navy Hospital Corps. Chris worked as a draftsman for various architect firms until he moved to research, design, and produce reproduction stringed instruments in the Westover Workshop for Historical Instruments in Walpole, NH. His research was critical in the ability to reconstruct the Renaissance ancestor of the classical guitar, the viheula. His full size technical drawings led to the production of a more historical accurate vihuela, which filled a need in the performance of early music. Upon the completion of this practicum he earned his bachelor and master degrees in Industrial Technology from Western Illinois University. His teaching years were in E. B. Frank Middle School in Lenoir County North Carolina, Pima Community College in Arizona, and Garland ISD (Tx). Other talents were in the areas of cartooning and the construction of early American reproduction hunting pouches. Magazine articles about his leather work resulted in many orders. He was a sports car enthusiast, and photographed all his cars at the Alice Circle in Highland Park. He looked back on his long distance bicycle days and noted how absurd it was that he and friends were exercising only to stop to take a cigarette break. Eventually he took to the sky and took glider plane lessons. Fencing was a new hobby, but was short lived when he and Paula moved to Horseshoe Bay in 2017. In his life he owned over 20 guitars, having studied flamenco under Eddie Freeman in Dallas. He used his calligraphy talent to copy the Lord’s Prayer or the Night Before Christmas in Latin. When there was no internet he was the go to man to ask about historical dates. He credits his introduction to his faith to Father Conley, “When I talked to Father Conley I could feel God’s hand on me. I was so awestruck by being his server at the altar that I continued that calling from age nine till age sixty nine.” Chris could not only cook but his food presentation was a reflection of his artistic side. He had a wonderful sense of humor, drawing a squid in bottle and taping it to a particularly distasteful purchase. Cartoons on student tests added interest to mundane questions. Consultant to school districts Diana Day chose him to add levity to her publications with his cartoons.

Chris met Paula Williams and her son J.R. Heberle in 1987. Paula and Chris were together for 35 years sharing their house with their cats, the sounds of music from Chris’s various guitars, and their interest in classical music. He passed away March 19, 2022 as he wished at home. His NC family is Gary Barker (Nan) and cousins Betty B. Cannon, Ruth B. Henderson and Nancy B. Hill. He was predeceased by his sister Anne Faulkenberry. Burial in New Bern, NC with his Barker side of the family.

A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Cedar Grove Cemetery in New Bern, NC.

Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of Christopher S. Barker III.