Rogers Lee Barker II
(1952 - April 16, 2010)

Rogers Lee Barker, II, lifelong Kansas City, Kansas resident and professional pharmacist, died Friday evening at Providence Medical Center. Rogers was born in Kansas City, Kansas, and was a graduate of Washington High School in 1970. He graduated from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, received his pharmacology certificate in 1976, and was a honorary member of Pi Kappa Phi. Rogers had been employed at Revco, Osco, and CVS pharmacies since graduation. Rogers touched his customers in a special way, treating each of them in a caring and approachable manner. He was a faithful servant to the Lord with his attendance and support to several churches in the area. Active not only in the community, he was happiest when he was outdoors boating and hunting with his dear friends and family. He shared his love of life especially with his children, hunting with his son and enjoying the lake with his daughter. Rogers loved his beach time, and cruising with his wife. He was a member of the Tri-County Gun Club. Rogers was preceded in death by his parents, John Kenneth Barker, and Bessie Laura Fore Barker. Survivors include his loving wife of 32 years, Susan Barker; son Dustin L. Barker, his wife Janell and their son Jack; daughter Kelly J. Hafenstein and husband Travis; brother John Kenneth Barker, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 20, at Maywood Community Church, 11201 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas. Friends may call on the family from 5-8 p.m. Monday, April 19, at the church. Burial will follow the service at the church cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Salvation Army. Condolences can be left at www.porterfuneralhome.com. (Arr.: Porter Funeral Home, at 1835 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan., 913-621-6400.)

MESSAGE FROM DIANA THOMPSON BARNES

UPON HEARING THE SAD NEWS OF ROGER’S PASSING, I POSTED A MESSAGE ON FACEBOOK SINCE WE ARE IN CONTACT WITH MANY OF OUR CLASSMATES FROM THE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1970. WE WILL BE CELEBRATING OUR 40TH CLASS REUNION IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, AND ROGER WAS A MEMBER OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE. MANY CLASSMATES ON THE COMMITTEE EXPRESSED HOW HAPPY THEY WERE TO HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HIM JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND HOW HE WILL BE MISSED.

AFTER READING THROUGH THE MANY POSTINGS ON FACEBOOK AND THE COMMENTS LEFT ON THE GUESTBOOK ONLINE AT LEGACY.COM, DOZENS OF HIS HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATES SHARE SOME OF THE SAME THOUGHTS. BESIDES THE HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS OFFERED TO THE FAMILY.


THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS WERE READ AT ROGER' FUNERAL:

ROGER WAS A GOOD FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR. HE WILL BE TRULY MISSED. Donita

NEVER WANT TO SEE THE GOOD ONES GO SO EARLY. Dale

I ATTENDED BOTH HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE WITH ROGER, AND ALWAYS THOUGHT HIGHLY OF HIM. Jenee

I GRADUATED WITH ROGER AND KNOW HIM AS A GOOD PERSON I COULD TRUST. Frank

ROGER WAS SUCH A GOOD MAN AND IT SEEMS LIKE JUST A FEW YEARS AGO THAT WE ALL GRADUATED TOGETHER FROM HIGH SCHOOL. HE WILL BE MISSED BY MANY. Dianne

I GRADUATED WITH ROGER AND HAVE MANY GOOD MEMORIES. I KNOW HE WILL BE MISSED BY MANY. Richard

ROGER - YOU WERE ONE OF THE GOOD ONES, LOVED AND RESPECTED BY EVERYONE WHO KNEW YOU. YOU WILL BE MISSED BY ALL. Wayne and Kathleen
ROGER WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON AND WILL BE MISSED. I HAVE A FEW STORIES OF EXPLOITS WITH ROGER WHEN WE WERE YOUNGER. (HE MENTIONED ONE IN PARTICULAR IN MEXICO BUT DIDN’T CARE TO SHARE ANY DETAILS.) Ron

WE, HIS HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS, WILL REMEMBER ROGER LOVINGLY AT THE REUNION. Cindy

THERE WERE MANY MORE COMMENTS LIKE THESE.


HERE ARE TWO STORIES I’D LIKE TO SHARE:

ROGER AND I WEREN’T CLOSE IN HIGH SCHOOL, BUT WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS SICK, ROGER WAS SUCH A GOOD FRIEND TO HIM WHEN HE PICKED UP HIS MEDICINE FROM THE PHARMACY.  AFTER LOU’S DEATH, I ATTENDED THE SAME CHURCH WITH ROGER’S FAMILY. HE WAS ALWAYS THERE WITH KIND WORDS, EXPRESSING HIS CONDOLENCES. WHAT A GREAT GUY- I FELT HE TRULY CARED. HE WAS A WONDERFUL MAN AND HIS FAMILY HAS A LOT TO BE PROUD OF. Pat

I GOT TO KNOW ROGER NOT ONLY FROM SCHOOL, BUT MORE SO WHEN MY FATHER DID WELDING FOR HIS FATHER AT THEIR ORCHARD. ON MANY OCCASIONS MY FATHER WOULD VISIT JUST TO CHAT. AFTER GETTING TO KNOW ROGER THROUGH THE YEARS, I REALIZED OUR FATHERS WERE PRETTY STRICT IN RAISING THEIR CHILDREN. WE DEFINITELY KNEW OUR LIMITS WHEN IT CAME TO STAYING OUT OF TROUBLE. ACTUALLY ONE DAY, I REMEMBER ROGER GETTING WHIPPED IN THE ORCHARD. OUR FATHERS WERE ALIKE IN THAT WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING WRONG, YOU’RE GOING TO PAY THE PRICE. I RESPECTED ROGER’S FAMILY, THEY WERE GOOD PEOPLE, NICE, RESPECTFUL, AND ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP. ALTHOUGH I NEVER GOT TO SEE ROGER THROUGH THE YEARS, I CHERISH THE MEMORIES WE HAD BOTH IN SCHOOL AND IN THE ORCHARD. I NEVER KNEW A PERSON THAT DIDN’T LIKE ROGER, KENNY, OR THEIR FAMILY. THE HOME AND BUSINESS PROPERTY THE BARKER FAMILY HAD ON LEAVENWORTH ROAD IS NOW OWNED BY MY FATHER, SHERMAN WIEHE. DAD KEEPS THE PROPERTY AS IT WAS, AND TO THIS DAY, I STILL REMEMBER STOPPING THERE VISITING ROGER’S DAD, GRANDPA, AND FAMILY LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY. KNOWING THAT ROGER IS NO LONGER WITH US BRINGS ME MUCH SORROW. I KNOW HE WILL ALWAYS BE A PART OF MY MEMORIES UNTIL MY TIME COMES. Shermie


TO SUSAN, KELLY, DUSTIN, KENNY AND LIZ:

WE HOPE YOU CAN FIND SOME COMFORT IN KNOWING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY ROGER’S LIFE, AND THE MEMORIES THEY HAVE SHARED.