Thomas Trenary Barker

Thomas “Tom” Trenary Barker, 80, of Traverse City, MI passed away Saturday, June 2, 2018, at Munson Hospice House surrounded by his loving family. Tom was born on June 16, 1937, in Flint, MI, the son of the late Dorothy Swaim Trenary and Lauren James Barker. He was preceded in death by his older brother James Lauren. On June 14, 1990, he married his soul mate Mary Ann Feller at the State Capitol in Lansing. Tom graduated from Holt High School in 1956. He was in the US Naval Reserves for eight years. Tom went to work for Craft Printers in 1956. Next, he went to work for Michigan Bell Telephone where he worked as a linesman and ran the switch from 1956-1965. He was instrumental in implementing the system that uses area codes for direct dialing in Mid-Michigan. After working a short time for the State Senate, Tom became the clerk technician for the Michigan Court of Appeals in 1965. For a short time, Tom also worked as a volunteer fireman in Lansing. After his retirement in 1991, he and Mary moved North to enjoy retirement on the Boardman River and eventually moved to the amazing Crown Community. Tom was proud to be a lifelong Democrat and years ago he was a part of the group that started the Democratic Party in Mason, MI. Title IX equality for girls’ sports also held a special place in Tom’s heart. It was important for Tom to help make sure girls were always treated fairly. Nature was very important to Tom. He was an avid canoeist and canoed many rivers in Michigan and Canada. He loved fishing in lakes and rivers. In his later years, he loved golf. He was the secretary of the Elmbrook Men’s League for 10 years and he organized the Crown Brook Cup, a two-day Ryder Cup Tournament for competition between Elmbrook and the Crown. He also served many years on the Crown Commons Board. Tom was an accomplished genealogist and antique Michigan map enthusiast. He loved searching through old books and cemeteries and hunting in basements for old family history. Tom dedicated himself to writing and self-publishing three genealogy books leaving his family history works for many future generations to cherish. In his spare time, he enjoyed everything about trains. He also dabbled in construction. He once remodeled an entire home and it turned out just beautifully. Tom will be fondly remembered as the most caring, loving, kind, accepting, ethical, compassionate, and faithful man you could find. Above all else, he cherished his family, especially his children. His love for life and excitement for learning never stopped and will never be forgotten. Surviving Tom is his loving wife Mary; his children from his previous marriage, James Lauren (Marene) Barker, Kathy Lynn Barker, Debra Ann (Brian) Spence, Mary Margaret (Ken) Darsey; six grandchildren; five great grandsons; brother Scott Wesley (Shirley) Barker; sister Julie Ann (Edward) Wood; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and many special friends. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to the Cowell Family Cancer Center. Visitation and Services will be held at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. Visitations are planned for Friday, June 8, from 6-8 pm and Saturday June 9 12:00-1:00 pm, with a Celebration of Life commencing Saturday at 1:00 pm. Kindly share thoughts and memories with Tom’s family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Thomas Trenary Barker

June 16, 1937 - June 2, 2018