Funeral services have been scheduled for a Shawnee man who has been lauded as a hero for sacrificing himself to save the life of a child.
Greg A. Barker, 32, died Monday. He drowned while trying to save his fiancée’s 8-year-old daughter who was having difficulty swimming in a deep stream at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Murray County.
Barker began struggling while saving the girl and was pushed under. He was pronounced dead at the hospital in Sulphur.
Barker’s father, Glenn Barker, said he has extreme pride in his son.
“This is not a wasted life—he made a decision to save a life and sacrificed himself deliberately,” said Glenn Barker. “He earned his keys to the Kingdom.”
Barker, who worked as a security guard at the FireLake Casino on Gordon Cooper Drive, was well-known by many.
In many condolences on the News-Star’s Web site, many described Barker as a man who loved to help others.
“This little girl had a hero looking out for her that day,” one person wrote, while another said, “A very brave and selfless act. My condolences to all that knew him.“
He also was described as being a loving and caring man.
“He will be truly missed by everyone who had a chance to get to know him. My heart goes out to his mother, father and sister. He will always be a hero to his fiancé and her family,” another said.
Funeral services for Barker are scheduled 2 p.m. Monday, July 6, at Cooper Funeral Chapel and burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.
|
|
|
Funeral services have been scheduled for a Shawnee man who has been lauded as a hero for sacrificing himself to save the life of a child.
Greg A. Barker, 32, died Monday. He drowned while trying to save his fiancée’s 8-year-old daughter who was having difficulty swimming in a deep stream at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Murray County.
Barker began struggling while saving the girl and was pushed under. He was pronounced dead at the hospital in Sulphur.
Barker’s father, Glenn Barker, said he has extreme pride in his son.
“This is not a wasted life—he made a decision to save a life and sacrificed himself deliberately,” said Glenn Barker. “He earned his keys to the Kingdom.”
Barker, who worked as a security guard at the FireLake Casino on Gordon Cooper Drive, was well-known by many.
In many condolences on the News-Star’s Web site, many described Barker as a man who loved to help others.
“This little girl had a hero looking out for her that day,” one person wrote, while another said, “A very brave and selfless act. My condolences to all that knew him.“
He also was described as being a loving and caring man.
“He will be truly missed by everyone who had a chance to get to know him. My heart goes out to his mother, father and sister. He will always be a hero to his fiancé and her family,” another said.
Funeral services for Barker are scheduled 2 p.m. Monday, July 6, at Cooper Funeral Chapel and burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.
