Benny Preston Barker

Benny Preston Barker, 78, passed from his earthly restraints to reside with his Lord in Heaven on March 31, 2016. He died peacefully in his sleep on his beloved ranch near Drasco, Texas. Funeral services and celebration of his life will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, April 4, 2016, at the First Baptist Church in Winters, Texas, officiated by the Reverends Floyd Miller and Price Mathieson. Burial will follow at the Lakeview Cemetery in Winters. Visitation will be 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, April 3, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Preston was born to Charles Preston Barker and Vera Ferguson Barker on June 26, 1937, in San Angelo, Texas. Although he graduated from Brownwood High School, he had wonderful, and vivid memories of his time spent in the schools at Lawn, Texas. He attended Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and held many jobs as he worked his way. He married Naida Peacock Barker on February 8, 1974, in Winters, Texas. He was a rancher all of his life, and spent several years in the grain business at Alderman-Cave Feed and Grain in Winters, Texas, after being summoned out of a goat pen by his old mentor, Ray Alderman. He made many friends (and maybe a few enemies), as he “wheeled and dealed” in that industry for 40 years. But love him, or not, everyone respected him for his business sense and honesty sometimes to the point of painful reality. Preston served in Texas National Guard for a number of years, always prepared and ready to fight for this country he loved. He went through all the chairs of Masonry and received his 50 year pin recently. He was extremely proud of his active membership in this organization, and followed up by becoming a member of the Suez Shrine Temple and, later the Jesters. Although, in recent years, he was limited physically from spending time with his brothers in these organizations, he cherished his memories of all the fun and “merriment.” Preston enjoyed his days as a calf “jock” following his son around for several years to stock shows across Texas. He took great pride in all the trophies and blue ribbons, but suffered along with his son when they were sometimes at the end of the line. He made many friends in the stock show circuit, and enjoyed the relationships that were established along the way. Preston was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Winters, but he also favored his fellowship with the Wingate Baptist Church. His appreciation for the memberships in both churches was very sincere and heartfelt. Preston was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Preston and Vera Barker; son, Chance; granddaughter, Britney; sister, Donita Shuffield; and some very dear friends. Preston’s loved ones who survive him are: his wife, Naida of Drasco; daughters, Donna (Greg) Donica of New Braunfels; Dedra (Shaw) Merrill of Burleson; Mitzi Hudson (Brian Dempsey) of Winters; sons, Doyle (Donna) Barker of Abilene; Ben (Lisa) Barker of Porter. Also, surviving are sisters, Beth (James) Gordon of Brownwood and Pat Anderson of Garland. Living grandchildren include Tiffany Donica, Tanner Donica, Cole Hudson, Lexie Barker, Reid Barker, Tyler Wells, Landon French, Nathan French, and Kennadi Barker. Great grandchildren are Madison Hudson, Olivia Hudson, Knox Wells, and Jasper Wells. Memorials may be given to the Scottish Rite Hospitals for Children or the Shriners’ Hospitals for Children. The family of Preston wishes to extend sincere thanks to the wonderful doctors and nurses who administered care and compassion to him during his bouts with pain and suffering.