Nathaniel Meirl Barker, Jr, was born on July 10, 1939, to the late Nathaniel M.  & Hazel (nee: Nall) Barker in Evansville, Indiana.  He was the oldest of 9 siblings.  After his mother Hazel died when he was 3 years old, Nathaniel along with his sister Blondella & brother Roland were sent to live with their aunt and grandmother in Evansville, Indiana while their father served in the US Navy.   At the age of 10 he moved to Racine, WI after his father married Sadie Pitt.  He was educated in the Racine Unified School system and attended Franklin Middle School and Park High school.

Nathaniel met Jerlene (nee: Jackson) in 1962 as neighbors on Memorial Drive.   She lived with her aunt after graduating college as a new transplant from Oxford, Mississippi and he lived next door with his family.  They fell in love and were married August 1, 1964, in Racine, WI. at Wayman AME Church.    Preceding him in death were his parents Nathaniel & Hazel Barker, stepmother Sadie Barker, daughter Heather M. Barker, siblings Blondella, Roland, Harrietta, Gene, Autry (Pete) & Kalvin Barker.

Nathaniel worked at J.I. Case foundry before starting his career at S.C. Johnson Wax in 1966.  He worked in several divisions at SC Johnson finally landing in the Polymer division where he eventually retired from in 2004 after 38 years of service.  He had an extraordinary work ethic and took pride in his job.  Nathaniel was an active member at Wayman AME Church where he served as trustee and ran the food pantry for several years.  He had a fabulous smile and a sense of humor that immediately put everyone at ease, and he never met a stranger.    He had a wonderful sense of humor and a tremendous love of children resulting in many of his nieces and nephews calling him their favorite uncle.  He loved and supported his 5 children in everything they did and was often the only voice in the stands that they heard while competing in various sports, especially underwater while swimming.

He had a gentle and loving soul and would help anyone who was in need.  His family was his priority and he worked hard to provide a great home and to give his wife and children everything they needed and almost everything they wanted.  He loved spending time with his siblings, hanging out with friends, family and relaxing at home.  Then came the grandchildren and nothing was the same.  He loved them with everything in him and they loved him back.   As he became active again on the sidelines at their activities & sports, once again his voice was heard above all others cheering them on.  When he walked into the room, the grandchildren immediately ignored everyone else in the room to run to or reach for grandpa even before they could talk or walk.

He left behind a legacy.  A legacy to work hard, do the right thing, be productive don't just take up space and take care of the ones you love.   He leaves behind to celebrate his life and to grieve with hope, because we know we will see him again, his wife of 57 years Jerlene Barker, children; Cathy Barker, Lori Barker, Nathaniel (Rebecca) Barker, III, Alan Barker (friend Shannon), son in law Gregory (Heather)Jefferson; grandchildren Renate, Ralena, Avery, Nathaniel IV, Rihanna, MacKennzie, Sandy, Alan Jovan (AJ) and Quintin.  Brothers Jessie Barker of Sydney New South Wales Australia & Cecil (Gwen) Barker of Phoenix, AZ. Sister-in-law Evette (Kalvin) Barker of Houston, Tx.  Along with a host of Jackson in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and longtime friends.

Family and friends are invited to meet in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory on Saturday, October 9, 2021 for a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.   The celebration of his life and Homegoing will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Ernest J. Ni'A officiating.  You may watch the service via livestream by clicking on this link at 11:00 a.m. https://youtu.be/TORmNy0DQEQ

His interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park.

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