Steven Burke Barker's Obituary
Steven Burke Barker
Born March 14th 1945 In Salina Utah,
Passed away peacefully in his home in Millcreek Utah, at the age of 80, on Monday April 7th 2025.
A Celebration of Life for Steven will be held on Saturday May 3rd at Forest Dale Golf Course In their club house from 5pm to 8pm.
2375 S 900 E, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106
Steven was the third son of Dean Alexander Barker and Ava Kennedy Barker. He had two older brothers Robert “Bob” Barker and Edward “Ted” Barker. All of whom have preceded him in death.
His father Dean was a sheep herder on Boulder Mountain. He and his wife Ava and the three boys lived in Escalante Utah. Then at the age of 18 months little Steven contracted the polio virus and the whole family made the decision to move to Salt Lake City Utah 1947, so Steven could receive medical treatments and therapies that were not available in the small rural towns of Southern Utah at the time.
He spent his younger years in leg braces and was told he would probably need them his whole life. Thanks to his mother Ava, who refused to accept that. After years of physical therapy he was walking, running, riding bikes all without leg braces. He was determined to live a full and active life. And he did!
His family eventually settled in Granger Utah where he attended Granger high school. After a working few odd jobs after high school, he was hired on at Kennecott Smelter (now Rio Tinto) where he worked for over 30 years. Working his way up through the ranks. During this time he went back to school at SLCC for electrical courses and eventually becoming a journeyman electrician. He also served on the safety council, which he was very proud of. He was offered an early retirement and then briefly worked in TSA security at SLC Airport. Then after his divorce in 2003, he moved down to Bagdad Arizona to work for Dodge Phelps Copper Mine where he finished out his career and fully retired. At age 27, And after two unsuccessful marriages, Steve met Debi They were married in December 1973. They had two children, Jacob and Moriah. He and his family took many camping trips together, Enjoying activities like hunting, fishing, hiking and horseback riding in the beautiful wilderness of Utah and its neighboring states. He was an expert skier and avid golfer. He loved driving and being out on the open road. In the late 1980’s he fulfilled a lifelong dream and bought his first horse. He owned many horses over the years and we enjoyed riding them on mountain trails. Then when he moved to Arizona he decided to buy some mules They were stubborn just like him and after a few kicks to the face, he decided that his horse days were behind him.
He eventually returned to Salt Lake to be closer to his Daughter Moriah and Grandchildren, Talissa, Kodie and Corbyn. He loved his grand kids so much, and would take them golfing as well as many other activities. And when Talissa blessed him with his first great granddaughter, AvaLee he was overjoyed. And then just a year ago Kodie & her husband Colton blessed him with his first great grandson Beckett.
He was an incredibly kind, generous and compassionate man. Filled with curiosity and wonder at the beauty of this world. He made many friends throughout his life and loved and respected all of them very much.
He was our beloved Dad, Grandpa and Papa.
Farewell Cowboy.
Rest now, we love you.
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