Gilbert Hamilton Barker Jr.

Gil was born December 11, 1924, in Stamford, Texas to Wilma Pauline (Polly) Taylor Barker, and Gilbert Hamilton Barker Sr. He attended school in Oklahoma and graduated from Eastern High School in Washington, DC. He attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he met his wife, Maveh. When Maveh saw him in his tennis shorts for the first time, she fell instantly in love. He proposed on the veranda of the Sigma Chi fraternity house at Tulane University, where he received his commission as an ensign. He married the former Maveh Rosser in San Diego, California, on July 10, 1945, while serving in the Pacific during World War II.

After the war, he returned to Texas A&M University, receiving his BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering. Gil taught an introductory engineering course at Texas A&M, designed to weed out the many freshmen who thought they wanted to be engineers. Once, before a test, a cadet asked, “Mr. Barker, how many inches in a foot?” Instead of asking the prankster, “What size shoe does the foot fit?” Gil said, “No more dumb students.”

He worked for the Texas Electric Service company based in Fort Worth, Texas, directing research on reverse cycle heating systems using cool air and water as the heat source.

He was recalled into the Navy in 1950 during the Korean Conflict. During his Naval Career, he served on an Army Post and multiple Marine Bases, in addition to sea and shore duties in various capacities. He retired from the Naval Reserves as a Captain in 1993.

He was also employed by the Glen L. Martin Company, now known as Lockheed Martin, where Gilbert served in various engineering and supervisory capacities on the Bullpup and Pershing programs. He was chosen to direct the equipping of the British Royal Navy under the Bullpup missile and technology programs.

He was given many awards while living in England, was highly esteemed by colleagues and the community. At his going away party in Esher, Surrey, his attributes were lauded by friends and colleagues. After the Mayor gave Gilbert a wonderful going away speech, the village woodcutter added, “You forget the best part, Mr. Mayor! He’s the only American we’ve ever liked!”

That was Gil: brilliant, humble, friendly, organized, and loved by people from all walks of life. He was later upon his return from England, awarded Engineer of the Year for the Martin Company and was given the coveted Jefferson Cup at an honors night in Washington, D.C.

Gil was active in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, where he served as treasurer for many years. He was also treasurer of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church and both deacon and elder of the Winter Park Presbyterian Church.

He served as Chaplain of American Legion Post 112 for many years. Two of his joys were presenting the American Legion Award to the elementary students and participating in selecting the boy's state candidates.

Gil enjoyed music: He played the trombone in bands from middle school through college. He played in his high school band, performed with the Washington Redskins band, also played in the Texas A&M Fighting Aggies. He performed music from Jazz to the Classics. He also sang in church choirs throughout his adult life, being a baritone soloist for many years.

His hobbies were tennis, racing (Gil built, raced, and put on the show circuit a 1958 Lotus Super Seven), sailing, designing and building furniture and boats. He once created a unique barn for his little daughter’s toy horses and built the family's family room dining table which is still in use today. Gil was always busy doing beautiful things to make his loved ones happy!

Aside from his beloved family and his love of God, his great joys were his race car and his Sloop (his sailboat) and he was a recipient of many awards for both.

Gil’s love of life and desire to be of service in both professional and personal life made him admired and loved in return by many throughout this country and abroad. He is an example to us all.

Gil is survived by his beloved children Shela (Byron) and George (Rachel), granddaughters Lillian (Jeff) and Emily (Michael), and great-grandchildren Phoenix, Griffin, Charlotte, and Olivia. He is preceded in death by his soulmate of 70 years, Maveh.

A graveside service with military honors for Gilbert will be held Tuesday, November 26, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Palm Cemetery, 1005 N. New York Avenue, Winter Park, Florida 32789.