Wallace Gage Barker, Sr.

Wallace Gage Barker, Sr., a longtime resident of Beaumont, Texas, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and loved ones December 7, 2024, following a prolonged illness. Gage was born May 28, 1932, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, to Dr. Oliver Dustin Barker and Clara Wallace Barker. He attended public school in Parkersburg and chose St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin, for high school where he excelled both academically as well as in sports. Following graduation, Gage joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Berlin, Germany during the Korean Crisis and the rebuilding of Europe following WWII. At the completion of duty, he returned to West Virginia University in Morgantown where he graduated with a major in Psychology and Speech and started a very long and successful career with Pfizer Laboratories in the pharmaceutical business. Over this career Gage was promoted to several positions within the company and enjoyed moving to numerous geographical locations with his young family. He retired from his 24-year career and joined Smith Kline Beecham Labs for another career spanning 20 years, retiring again in 1995.

Since retirement, Mr. Barker immediately became very involved with the Beaumont Community as well as his church, Trinity United Methodist. His community work included serving many years as a mediator for the Jefferson County Courts, becoming an active Master Mason of Lodge #286 as well as Shriner’s International, dedicated to serving children with debilitating ailments. Gage enjoyed teaching several classes for the BISD high schools, as well as studying art at Lamar University.

Mr. Barker enjoyed singing with his church choir and served on various committees over the years. He served as leader of the local organizing boards of both Emmaus and Kairos Interdenominational outreach organizations to administer weekend religious based retreats both for the community as well as inside the State Prison System. Gage especially enjoyed taking time for recreational world travel with his wife Pat.

Athletics was a large part of Gage’s life, beginning at a very young age. His first love was golf, and he always said the golf course was where he made so many lifelong friendships. He was an avid long-distance runner for almost 25 years, and he never turned down an opportunity to take a dive in the pool or almost any lake or ocean.

Gage was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. O. Dustin Barker and Clara W. Barker; his sister and brother-in-law, Margaret Fitzgerald (Jack); his first wife, Suzanne S. Tefft; and one nephew, Charlie Fitzgerald.

He is survived by his wife, Pat Call Barker; children, Wallace Gage Barker, Jr. (Kathy) and Anne Barker Peacock (Earl); six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one very special nephew, Thomas “Chip” O’Connor (Pamela); one brother-in-law, John Call; nephew, Andy Fitzgerald and niece, Dustin F. Goodman (Mark).

The Barker family wishes to express deep appreciation to the medical team at Harbor Hospice, his Beaumont doctors, his physicians at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Methodist Hospital of Houston. The family is extremely grateful for the wonderful caregivers who provided daily care and companionship over the years including Linda Patterson, Jamaica Lovett, Wen Scott, Albina Leiva, and Chaun Mims and others.

Memorial contributions may be made Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77706; MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 772104486; or an organization of one’s choice.

His graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, December 20, 2024, at Mitchell Cemetery, Greenway, Arkansas. Services for Mr. Barker were held in Beaumont, Texas under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.

Complete and updated information may be found at: broussards1889.com