Coach David Petty Barker, Jr.

Coach David Petty Barker, Jr., 88, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 22, 2012 at the Houston Medical Center after declining health of many years.

David was born in High Point, North Carolina on September 7, 1923 to the late David P. Barker, Sr. and Grace Reynolds Barker. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, and was a graduate of South Georgia College, The University of Virginia, and Peabody College. David was also a member of Central Baptist Church where he was a Deacon.

He was an admirable and well-respected football coach at several different schools, including: Montgomery Bell Academy, Dublin High School, Warner Robins High School, Hancock County High School, Lowndes County High School, and Cullman High School. He was however, the most proud of his coaching career at Florida State University. David worked in school administration at Berrien County High School and Twiggs County. He was named Coach of the Year while at Hancock County High School, and was the founder of Warner Robins Flyers semi-pro football team.

Coach Barker was an avid bowler for more than thirty-five years. He also enjoyed fishing, and watching the Atlanta Braves and Andy Griffith. He was President of the Student Government at South Georgia College and was also a member of the football team that won the Little Sugar Bowl in 1948. He also played Varsity Football for The University of Virginia.

He is survived by the love of his life, his loving wife of over sixty-three years, Jayne Miller Barker; children, Mala B. Pritchard (Phillip), Jerelyn C. Saint (Ron), and David P. Barker, III; granddaughters, Alicia Fortenier (Eric), Katie Ziegler (Brent), Elizabeth Saint, and Billie Barker Pritchard and his beloved cat, "WoozieMan,"; sister, Nancy Barker Smith; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Eleanor Barker Neal.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 26, 2012 from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. Funeral services will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home with interment following in Riverside Cemetery, Macon, Georgia through the front gate. The family will accept flowers, or contributions may be made to Joy for Journey Building Fund, Central Baptist Church, 1120 Lake Joy Road, Warner Robins, GA 31088, to the Alzheimer's Association, 886 Mulberry St., Macon, GA 31201, or to your favorite charity.


Funeral Home:
McCullough Funeral Home
417 S. Houston Lake Rd.
Warner Robins, GA
US 31088