Ranger Exes Memorial - RHS Class of 1937

GATES R. BARKER, 53, was born Oct. 10, 1919, to Jessie Lee Coffman & Robert Edgar Barker. He had two brothers, Edgar Barker (RHS-1930) and Robert Lee Barker (RHS-1944) and four sisters, Clara Barker Singleton (RHS-1930), Catherine Barker Allison (RHS-1933), Hazel Barker Harris (RHS-1936), & Elizabeth Barker Ball (RHS-1942). He attended Ranger High School in the Class of 1937 at Ranger, TX. Gates died on Feb. 17, 1973 in Cleburne, TX. He had 2 children, Kathryn "Kay" Barker Enoch, who lives in Austin, and Gates "Rick" Rickard Barker Jr, who lives in Round Rock. Kay is an attorney and Rick is in the computer business. WIFE: KARY MARY KATHRYN HEATLY BARKER SWANTESON went to be with our Lord on March 28, 2018, with burial in Rosehill Cemetery at Cleburne, TX. Kary would disagree that she shared the qualities of the Greatest Generation, but her humility makes the description all the more compelling. Her life's story, by God's grace, is one of courage, strength, and perseverance. Born on the Fourth of July, 1920, the only child of Mary Katherine Stafford Heatly and Homer Vinson Heatly, Kary was raised in Mangum, Oklahoma where her father and his brothers owned cotton gins. As the effects of the Depression worsened, Oklahoma was hit by the Dust Bowl of the 1930s that devastated the cotton industry. Kary graduated in 1938 from Mangum High School and in 1941 received a BA degree in English and Speech from North Texas State Teachers College. During World War II, Kary was a Junior High School English, History & Speech teacher. Near the end of the war, Kary married Gates Rickard Barker (RHS-1937) of Ranger, TX. At the age of 25, Gates was one of the youngest Majors in the history of the Marine Corps, and fought for four years in the Pacific Theater, participating in the battles of Tarawa and The Philippines. After the war, Gates entered Tulane Medical School in New Orleans where Kary was a model in motion picture ads appearing before the main feature, since as a married woman she was barred from teaching. Always a beauty, Kary appeared in ads for cars, refrigerators and washing machines. After medical school, Gates & Kary made their home in Cleburne, TX, where Gates was a General Practitioner and Kary was a homemaker and volunteer in the community and in their beloved church, Holy Comforter Episcopal. Kary was a frequent presenter of book reviews in Cleburne and surrounding communities. After Gates' death in 1973, Kary moved to Dallas and was a faithful caregiver for her mother, Katherine Heatly, who lived with Kary for 16 years. In 1980, Kary married another wonderful man, Carl Helmer Swanteson. Together they traveled and enjoyed many activities in Dallas. Kary always loved to learn and teach, and served as a docent at both the Ft. Worth Museum of Science and History and the Meadows Museum of Art in Dallas. After Carl's death, Kary moved to Austin in 2013 to live with her family. Kary's family is so very thankful to the Lord for her long life, even though for the last twelve years she was afflicted by total blindness. An avid reader, this loss of sight was a particular hardship for her, but the enduring courage, dignity and grace with which she lived was an inspiration to everyone. She never complained. Everyone marveled at her positive attitude and peaceful acceptance of her condition. Kary's sharp intellect and wit were also hallmarks of her personality. She loved history, art, good books, good conversation and God's Word. She especially loved the company of friends and family. She was adored by all who knew her. Kary is predeceased by her parents, husbands and several dear cousins. She is survived by her children and their spouses, daughter Kay Barker Enoch and husband, Craig, of Austin and son Rick Barker and wife, Valerie, of Round Rock; by her step-daughters Catherine Swanteson of Bryan, Christy Swanteson and husband, David Stones, of Round Rock, & Carol Swanteson of Dallas; by her grandchildren Gates Enoch and wife, Kelli, of Dallas, Kathryn Enoch Welch and husband, Hunter, of Austin, Claire Barker of Round Rock, Dan Stones and wife, Emily, of Denver, Colorado, Katie Vedlitz and husband, Will Patton, of Austin and Carl Stones and wife, Sarah, of Indianapolis, Indiana; by her six great-grandchildren; by her cousin Stanley McAnelly and wife, Jackie, of South Lake; and the many children & grandchildren of her beloved cousins.