Funeral services for Harold Wayne Barker, 75, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at J.E. Keever Mortuary Chapel in Ennis, Texas, with Rev. Bob Thomas officiating. Graveside services will follow at Myrtle Cemetery, Ennis under the direction of J. E. Keever Mortuary, Inc. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at the J. E. Keever Mortuary, 408 N. Dallas Street, Ennis.

Mr. Barker died Wednesday, Jan. 8, of natural causes in Ennis.

Born March 8, 1949, he was the only son of the late Harold Lloyd and Joy Gentry Barker. During his childhood, the family resided in various parts of South Texas, ultimately settling in Wharton, where they owned and operated a popular fast food restaurant, The Dairy Princess. He attended and then graduated from Wharton High School in 1968, and was active in the Future Farmers of America, Lone Star Farmers and Latin Club. He also served as Leadership Committee Chairman during his senior year of high school. After his graduation, he and his family moved to Ennis and built a new home in nearby Alma on farmland near his maternal grandparents, the late E.L. and Mary Alice Gentry. At that time he also attended Navarro Junior College.

The family invested in several business ventures in Ennis, including McClain's Food Store and Western Auto. He worked diligently alongside his parents in all of their endeavors, and like them, was known for his hard work ethic, friendliness and kindness to others. After his parents retired in 1986, he often worked with his cousin, the late Roger Gentry.

As one of 37 maternal first cousins, he was adored by his aunts, uncles and cousins, and had a close relationship with his grandparents. He often teased his cousins saying he was "granddaddy's favorite," which brought on rounds of friendly banter among them. The mock dispute was never settled, and always ended in laughter. He delighted in overseeing family matters such as historical photographs and stories, and serving as "treasurer" for the annual Gentry family reunion. He also was a role model in the way he loved and cared for his parents and grandparents, and for the respect he showed them along with all of his aunts and uncles.

He enjoyed playing dominoes and card games like spades and gin rummy. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing and spent many vacations with extended family in Rockport, Marble Falls and Ozona, Texas.

He was an active member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, where he was involved with the Faithful Friends Sunday School Class.

In addition to his parents and grandparents, he was predeceased by nine first cousins, five uncles and seven aunts on his mother's side of the family.

Pallbearers will be first cousins Charlie Gentry, Doug Gentry, Glenn Edward Fisher, Leslie Gentry, Patrick Roark and Ray Stafford Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be first cousins Jerry Holland, Sonny Benefield, Robert Benefield, Ed Gentry, Bruce Edrington and Greg Kimmer, and Joe Wilson and Dudley Fox.

Survivors include his maternal aunt, Sandra Kimmer-Moss of Pottsboro, Texas; 27 first cousins; many other relatives and friends, and his special friends at McDonald's in Ennis, which he frequented daily.