Richard Barker

Richard Ellis Barker, 85, passed away March 25, 2016 in Orem, Utah. Richard was born November 11, 1930 in Salt Lake City to Ellis Webster Barker and Virginia Freeze. He and his sweetheart, Ilamae Hansen, were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1954. He was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a young man, he served a mission to the Northwestern States, and more recently served with Ilamae as full-time missionaries at the MTC. Over the years he held many callings including teaching Gospel Doctrine, and leading his beloved ward choir, and also serving in two Bishoprics. He served in the Army, and studied engineering before switching to his passion of music. He received a BA in Music Education from the Univ. of Utah, and a MA in Music Composition from BYU. He played the contrabass in the Utah Valley Symphony for more than 50 years. He served as President, Property Manager, and member of their Board. He participated in quartets from his youth, and sang with the Bamberger Express barbershop quartet for over 25 years, being honored in the Rocky Mountain District as Senior Champions three consecutive times. He also performed with the Saltaire's Barbershop Chorus and directed and performed with the Skyline Chorus. Most of all, he was a teacher. He was the choir teacher at Provo High School and also worked with the band and orchestra. He created many wonderful memories with his award-winning A Capella and Show choirs. He was lovingly known by students and parents as "Fearless Leader." Besides directing many musical productions, Richard was also a composer, arranger and performer. He was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his twin sisters, Marillyn Johnson and Marie (Wally) Bennett, his wife, Ilamae, his 4 children, Dave (Karen), Alan (Anne), Lynette (Craig) Ballard, and Reid (Linda), along with 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at the Sunset Heights Stake Center at 1260 South 400 West in Orem at 11:00 am on Monday, April 4th. A viewing will be held at Sundberg - Olpin Funeral Home at 495 S. State St. in Orem on Sunday, April 3rd, from 7 - 9 pm, and at the Stake Center prior to the funeral from 9:30 - 10:30 am. Interment will be at the Orem City Cemetery at 1520 North 800 East. The family wishes to thank the CNS Hospice Team for their excellent and loving care.

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