May 30, 1925 – July 2, 2023
at the age of 98 years:
Celebration of Life will be August 12 at 2 pm at Shuswap Lake Estates Community Hall.
Jack was a husband to Irene, a father, a grandfather and a great grandfather, he was a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot in WWII and a visionary.
Jack was drawn to move to Blind Bay in 1971 when he was presented with the opportunity to develop a piece of land that was basically trees, a log building and a couple of gravel roads. His vision took this piece of land and made it into the residential development of Shuswap Lake Estates that you know today.
Shuswap Lake Estates was often termed as Jack’s playground. He loved every minute creating, developing and building the many amenities of Shuswap Lake Estates, the residential lots, the golf course, the marina, the top of the line water and sewer system, tennis courts, pickleball courts and the community spirit. His mind never stopped thinking about what would work best for Shuswap Lake Estates. He was always working, celebrating, travelling or building something new.
Jack was very proud of Shuswap Lake Estates and was known for his lengthy tours lasting anywhere from an hour to 3 hours. He would drive his Mercedes in some rough terrain during various developmental stages. Many would say “there goes Jack in his ATV Mercedes.” Touring the development was one of his great joys in life, he continued to go on daily tours right up to the last week of his life.
Jack was only 17 ½ when he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and became a pilot, mostly stationed in India flying supplies into Burma. The experience had a huge impact on this farm boy from Spy Hill Saskatchewan and he loved to talk about his many war stories including once flying into a monsoon. He was recognized as a highly qualified pilot and was given special papers that allowed him to fly even during “no fly weather”. He was loyal to his squadron and along with Irene continued to travel to many squadron reunions in various parts of the world.
In 2015 Jack was honoured with a medal and ceremony in Ottawa along with other members of the armed forces who served in Burma and Hong Kong areas.
He loved to travel and together with Irene visited over 30 countries. He worked hard and he played hard always driven to learn more, to be more, to see more, he had a thirst for living to the fullest. He believed there was no such word as “can’t”.
Jack was a dedicated family man. He loved family get togethers and was instrumental in gathering everyone together for many family occasions. Jack and Irene had 8 children, 20 grand children and 32 great grandchildren. Linda (Harvey) Darren, Ryan, Jon, Cara, Heather; Gail (deceased); Darlene (John) Deidre, Tyron, Kristen; Terry (Lois) Cory, Danniele, Debbie (Erik) Sara, Jeremy; Brenda, Jody, Jenny, Kassondra, Randy; Wendy (Burke) Brandon, Ashlee; Pat (Mark) Tyler, Trevor. And many step-grandchildren. Jack and Irene chose to fly each family to their winter home in Phoenix and travel in a motor home to Disneyland, Universal studios and Mexico. Each grandchild has many fond memories of their trip with Grandma and Grandpa.
Jack accomplished a lot in his life, he was one of a kind, he was determined and dedicated to what he believed. He always said he wanted to have the song I Did It My Way played at his funeral and we can all say that yes “He did it his way” and what an amazing way that turned out to be.
Thank you Dad, for doing it your way.
Celebration of Life will be August 12 at 2 pm at Shuswap Lake Estates Community Hall.
Our belated condolences to the Barker family for their loss. Jack was a client of our firm for over fifty years and was great to deal with. On occasion he shared stories of his time in Europe and the early days on the Prairies. Our thoughts are with the family.
Our condolences to Wendy, Debbie and all the Barkers. Your Dad was a great person, he lived a full life, gave us lots of memories. He will be missed.
Our condolences to the family from the Barker family in Nova Scotia. Our father was born the day your grandfather left for out west in 1921 February 24 after he spent the winter with my grandparents Walter and Mary Barker he was named after your grandfather. Dad George Barker is still a live and was justing about father the other day he is 103 years old. We came across a picture of your father Jack that was taken during the war when he had a stop in Greenwood and came to see Grandmother and grandfather Walter and Mary. Walter was the oldest in the family. Sorry for your loss.
Our sincere condolences to the Barker family!
To Terry and Wendy and all connected to the Barker family. Jack was full of life and I felt fortunate to have been a part of his pioneering work and contributions to the game of golf and community building. As a result of his efforts, for awhile, I landed at Shuswap Lake Estates and met many wonderful course and community members.
Shawn Jordan
Former GM Shuswap Lake Golf Course
Deepest sympathies to the Barker family. I am sorry for your loss.
Wishing you all peace and comfort if possible.
We moved here from Ontario, and one day while working in the front yard, Jack drove by and said “Who are you ?” We chatted for quite a while, and when he learned that I was from the Niagara region, he dubbed me Miss Niagara. I told him that we grew peaches, and each summer, I would bring him a ripe, juicy peach. He got quite a chuckle out of that.
A man ahead of his time, I enjoyed reading his autobiography found in our Blind Bay library.
Our condolences to the family.
Our condolences to the Barker Family. We are thankful for Jack’s vision in building the community.
Our Condolences to the family.
We are grateful for the vision Jack had all those years ago. Without it we would not be enjoying the life we now have. May he rest in peace.
Condolences to Wendy, Terry, Debbie and family members. jack and Irene treated us like family when they wintered in Sun Lakes, Az. and Blind Bay. We have so many fond memories that we will always hold on to. Jack always had interesting stories very willing to talk about his pilot days. We will miss you, but always in our hearts.
I called Jack “The Base Commander”. Shuswap Lake Estates truly was his “Base”. The amazing thing is that he not only ruled over it, he built it. And what a wonderful “Base” it has been for me these past 27 years. Jack and Irene truly believed in Community, and what a Community this has been! Jack was responsible for that. I will miss the war stories we shared as former RCAF pilots. Although we served in different eras, three was still a bond. I salute you, my friend. You have left your indelible mark on this earth. You were truly a leader.
Our heart goes out to the Barker family at this time. We know Irene has not been gone long and hope and wish that they be together once again. To Wendy and Terry and family members we do not know. Our sincere condolences.
We all can appreciate Jack for his contributions he made to the Blind Bay community. He was a leader in so many ways. Thank you Jack and Irene for your service and commitment to the Shuswap area. You will be dearly missed.
Our condolences to the Barker family. Jack built such a special place to live. What a proud life he lead.
We always appreciated his stop by our back yard to shoot the breeze. We all get to appreciate the fruits of Jack’s forsight and hard work. He will be missed by all. Condolences all the family.
Jack Barker was such a great man. I respected him for his dedication and commitment to this community.
I also had a few instances of Jack and Irene dancing together an always the first couple on the dance floor.
Jack I hope you and Irene are together and dancing again.
Jack had much to be proud of as does his family. Our sincere condolences are extended to all.
I only met him a few times but he was a great guy!
Aunt Darlene and family I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all!
What an amazing and full life Jack lived – I always loved that he would come down to the marina and “shoot the breeze” and rent a boat from us when there was absolutely no need to considering all the boats that were within the family, but that was his way of supporting another local business….our sincere condolences to all the family – he will be greatly missed!
I’m so sorry for your loss Wendy, Debbie, Terry and the rest of your family. Your dad was certainly a special man. It was a pleasure to know him. He will be missed greatly by all. God Bless you all at this time.
A fine gentlemen and exceptional entrepreneur with a vision that we are all grateful. Thank you Jack.
My condolences to the entire family