Robert Heaton Barker

Robert Heaton Barker, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully in St George, Utah on Friday afternoon, September 26, 2025, following a stroke earlier that morning. He was active and busy doing the things he loved right up to the end.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 70 years this year, Lois Spencer, who passed away in July 2024. He is survived by his four children, Susan, Kevin, Keith, and Karen; 28 grandchildren; and 51 great-grandchildren.

He loved being around people and making them smile. He loved to laugh, and he loved telling corny jokes and puns. He was a patient and empathetic listener. He always wanted to do what was right and help others. He was a hard worker and always pitched in to help out. He was a competitive cards and dominoes player and loved playing with family and friends, teaching grandkids how to play and having weekly games with brother-in-law Ray and sister-in-law Marianne.

Known as Bobby as a child, later Bob as an adult, he was born on May 18, 1929 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the youngest in a family of 5 sons. He enjoyed a fun and adventurous childhood getting into plenty of mischief—jumping off headboards into mattresses, flooding the kitchen while washing dishes, hiding pet rats in his shirt during school. He had a loyal dog named Wimpy that he spent many hours with.

He worked a variety of jobs growing up—errand boy, Western Union messenger, dishwasher, oiler for the railroad. He was proud to serve as a Marine in the Korean War, receiving a Purple Heart. Upon returning home he studied education and enjoyed a career as a teacher, vice principal, and principal. Bob and Lois worked as a team in their Home Tax Service business for 49 years. In later years, Bob and Lois operated a photo novelty business, traveling to fairs across the country.

Family was central to Bob’s life, and no matter where his children and grandchildren lived he and Lois loved to visit them. Bob helped with painting projects, carpet cleaning, mowing lawns, even in his eighties. He joked around with grandkids and great-grandkids, started conversations and was always up for any type of family fun.

Bob loved taking pictures and movies of family celebrations and travels. He liked to try out new gadgets—from calculators to smart phones. He loved creating family traditions—camping for 6 weeks every summer, making birthday movies. He loved gardening.

Church was a cornerstone throughout Bob’s life, and he valued his faith and testimony. He loved serving in church and was diligent in all his assignments and callings, whether Bishop, Nursery Leader, Building Cleaning Coordinator, or Family History Center Helper. He enjoyed working in the temple twice a week, even while in assisted living.

Bob might be best-remembered as Lois’s husband, he and Lois were devoted to each other and did everything together. They loved wearing matching shirts, matching Halloween costumes, and Bob often wore ties and socks with Lois’s face on them. He was impressed by Lois from the moment he met her, and he missed her greatly in the last year.

Bob loved to make people smile and feel appreciated. When he and Lois moved into an assisted living facility seven years ago after Lois’s health declined, he started finding a daily riddle to share with all the residents and staff. The first joke that started the tradition was “What kind of lights did Noah have on his ark?—Flood Lights!”

Throughout his life, whether at work, at church, surrounded by family, or with anyone he came across, he was always ready to provide a listening ear, a smile, and a connection.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 9:30-10:30am at the Buena Vista Stake Center, 860 W. Fairway Dr. Washington, UT 84780. Graveside services will follow the viewing at the Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 S. Dixie Drive St. George, UT 84770.

In Lieu of flowers, the family would love you to choose your favorite charity to give a donation.