Dr. Rick Barker

Dr. Rick Barker, 63, of Jonesboro, died Thursday, August 28, 2025, at his home.  Rick was born on March 1, 1962, in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, to Dale and Jo Ann Barker. Rick had lived in Jonesboro since 1973, moving here from Black Rock.  He was a member of the Southwest Church.  He was a 32 Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Past Master for both the Jonesboro Lodge and the Nettleton Lodge.  He was the Executive Director of Technical Sciences at the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College.  Rick loved fishing, gardening and watching movies.  Rick was always proud of his family and always bragged on how great they were, but he was also proud of the fact that he spent many years working and going to school to get his PhD degree.  He always tried to go the extra mile.  He was preceded in death by his dad, and one brother, Rodney Barker.

Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Carie Barker, sons, Jody Barker, Ricky Barker, and daughter Tiffany Kauffman, all of the home; mother, Jo Ann Barker and his grandson, Dexter Kauffman.

A Celebration of Life Service will be at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Dr. Jimmy Adcox and Art Smith officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.  Burial will follow at 4:00 PM, at Oak Forrest Cemetery near Black Rock with Steve Gray, Michael Goza, Jeremy Jones, Jason Sloan, Herbie Ogles and Chris Phelps serving as pallbearers.  Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Terry Kosinski, Dr. Summer Deprow, Dr. Angela Kramers, Dr. Anna Hunt, Leann Reynolds, Bruce Taylor, Robert Tucker, Natalie Hibdon, Mike Rogers, Michael Garner, Larry Sloan, Joel Sharp, Waylon Deen, J.J. Kerterson, Chris Golden; the medical staff at M.D. Anderson, UAMS, and St. Bernards Medical Center. Visitation will be from 1:00 until service time.

For lasting memorials please consider the Paragould Children’s Home, 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, Arkansas 72450.  To sign an online guestbook, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.