Dennis James Barker, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully at his home on June 30, 2026, at the age of 88, surrounded by his family.

Dennis was born on February 27, 1938, in North Ogden, Utah, to Myrtle and Aldro Barker. He was the youngest of four boys and was raised on his family’s 45-acre dairy farm, where he learned the values of hard work, dedication, and love of the land. North Ogden was always home to Dennis. His roots there ran deep, and it brought him great joy to later build his own home on the very same family farm where he was raised. It was at this home where they grew an apple orchard and Dennis would take boxes of apples and give them to his neighbors and friends. He was known by many as the “apple man”. At an early age he developed a love and talent of playing the violin where he used it throughout his life. Playing for the Utah symphony for several years and playing in church and for many funerals at the request of his friends and community.

On October 14, 1967, Dennis married the love of his life, Shirley. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and unwavering devotion to one another. Their love was further strengthened when they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple on October 14, 1980, celebrating both their 13th wedding anniversary and the eternal promises they cherished.

Dennis first started his working career as a Barber at the Hotel Utah and cutting many church leaders and famous people’s hair. Dennis served our country by joining the Air Force where he learned to be an air traffic controller for the Salt Lake City Airport and did that for 29 years upon his retirement. During Retirement he loved to spend his days golfing, daily trips to the grocery store and loved to write. He had a great talent for penmanship. This combined with his strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, led him to hand write the entire Book of Mormon, word for word. He didn’t stop there as later he wrote the Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, New Testament and finally even the entire Old Testament word for word. He and Shirley served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Houston Texas mission, as well as serving at the conference center where they met lifelong friends. Dennis and Shirly spent many years as ordinance workers in the Ogden Temple.

Surviving Dennis is his and Shirley’s children Michael Dee (Cheryl) Nelson, Bret J (Denise) Nelson, Scot Lawerence (Teri) Nelson, Jimmie Howard (Robyn) Nelson, Vanessa Lee (Brett) Jones, Christina Maria (James) Tempel, and Dennis James Barker Junior.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 11 A.M. Viewings will be held Tuesday, July 7, 2026, from 6-8 P.M. and prior to the service from 9:30-10:30 A.M. All services will be held at the North Ogden Church (770 E 2100 N North Ogden, Utah). Interment will follow in the Ben Lomond Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed and can be accessed below.

We want to thank Canyon Home Care and Hospice, as well as his long time Doctor Aardema, for their wonderful care for Dennis. Though his earthly journey has come to an end, Dennis leaves behind a lifetime of cherished memories and an example of a life well lived. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by his beloved family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT PAN THE CROWD AND THE CAMERA IS FIXED UPON THE PULPIT. WE WILL TRY AND LIVESTREAM THE FUNERAL SERVICE. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO DO SO, DUE TO THE INTERNET SERVICE AT THE CHURCH, A RECORDING WILL BE UPLOADED WITHIN 24-48 HOURS AFTER THE SERVICE.