Jeffrey Barker

A life that sparked wonder, laughter, and love

Jeffrey Robert Barker's life was a tapestry of deep roots and bold new chapters - from a farmhouse in Orrville, Ohio, to the quiet hills of West Virginia. He was a man of wit, work, and wonder. As an ENTP, Jeff never stopped exploring ideas, possibilities, and people's hearts. With one question he could shift your perspective, and with one sentence he could spark laughter.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, to Janice Carmony and raised by Alice B. Neipp in Orrville, Jeff spent much of his life in the beloved home on Back Massillon Road, where he later raised his own children. He carried the past with grace and passed it forward with pride.

A devoted father to Angela, Laura, Bobby, and Jessie, and a loving grandfather to Alice, Morgan, Phoenix, Oliver, Jaden, Alayna, and Casey, Jeff had a rare gift: he brought imagination and wonder into people's lives. He always had a new adventure planned - a hidden trail, a quiet stream, a place where nature revealed its magic. Many of the places he introduced to his children and grandchildren are now part of their own stories - a living testament to the spirit he shared so freely.

Though he faced the challenges of SCLC small cell lung cancer, Jeff's heart remained open, warm, and full of humor. His philosophical musings, playful energy, and unshakable curiosity touched all who knew him. Ordinary moments became extraordinary in his presence, and his laughter left an imprint that will never fade.

Jeff's journey in love began with Violet, with whom he had three children. Later, he married Gretchen, and together they built a life in Parkersburg, West Virginia, where he helped nurture Jessie's son, Casey.

An adventurer at heart, Jeff believed the world was meant to be discovered, understood, and shared. In every story told, every trail walked, every laugh exchanged, he left a piece of himself behind.

He will be remembered as a man who made life brighter, who inspired imagination, and who ensured that everyone who knew him carried a little of his wonder always.