Thomas Barker Obituary

Thomas Baxter Barker

1959-2024

Thomas Baxter Barker, 64, passed away March 14, 2024 at his home in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

Tom was born August 4, 1959 in Salt Lake City to Mary Lou Baxter Barker and Hugh Barker Jr.

He attended school in Salt Lake City and graduated from East High in 1977. He graduated from The University of Utah in 1982 with a BS in Chemical Engineering, and in 1989 with an ME in Mechanical Engineering. He held a Wyoming Professional Engineer License in Control Systems Engineering.

He married Debbe Hurst October 6, 2005 in Kemmerer, Wyoming.

Tom was conscientious and creative in raising his two children.

He loved music and was a voracious reader.

Tom lived a life rich in professional achievement and community service. His career as a Process Control Engineer spanned 42 years. With FMC for 20 years, he achieved the distinction of Process Control Associate Fellow, and worked most recently for Genesis Alkali where he was also a Controls Engineer Trainer.

He served his communities as an Ambulance and Emergency Medical Medic (EMT-Intermediate) for over 29 years for ski resorts, Vase Ambulance Service in Rock Springs, and Rocky Mountain AmbTac in Pinedale.

He was a member of the National Ski Patrol, Appointment #9970, serving as a patrolman at Solitude and Park City (Utah) and White Pine (Wyoming) where he was Patrol Director

He served as water master and on the board of the Sylvan Bay Homeowners Association from the mid 1990s, most recently from 2008 to 2018; and cared expertly for the family cabin above Fremont Lake, near Pinedale.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Tom loved the Wind River Mountains. He hiked, and climbed and ran their trails. Summitting Gannett Peak was a particular joy. He fished for Mackinaw from his boat on Fremont Lake and for trout in their streams.

As a young man he ran trails, completing the Bair Gutsman Race (Utah) more than once. He was a river guide for Western River Expeditions in the Grand Canyon.

The mountains will miss him.

Tom is survived by his wife, Debbe of Rock Springs; mother, Mary Lou of Salt Lake City; son, Jameson Despain Barker and fiancé Camille of San Fernando, California; daughter, Whitney Barker and husband Matthew Geiger of Whitefish, Montana; sister, Kate Ashworth of Salt Lake City; his two kittens, Ditsy and Deuter.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Memorial Service, Friday April 19 at 11:00 at the Vase Funeral Chapel in Rock Springs.

Condolences may be left at www.vasefuneralhomes.com