Christopher A Barker
April 8, 1960 ~ April 23, 2020
Christopher A. Barker of Great Falls, Virginia, age 60, died at Adler Center hospice on April 23, 2020, from complications of leukemia. A teacher and coach for more than 35 years, he encouraged girls and boys at all levels to find the positive, appreciate their strengths, take responsibility, and live with love. Students he taught in separate stints totaling 15 years at The German International School of Washington in Potomac, MD, in particular, attest to enduring lessons from Coach Barker in sports and life. He also taught or coached at local schools including the Congressional Schools, Falls Church, VA, the McLean School, Potomac, MD, and Walter Johnson High School, Bethesda, MD. He served as men’s soccer and tennis coach at Oberlin College and as men’s soccer coach at Capitol College.
He graduated from Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda in 1978, from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1982, and received a M.A. from George Mason University in 2000.
A devoted and beloved father, Chris is survived by children Kit, Anna, Claire and Laura, of Great Falls, and his stepson, Ryan Taliaferro of New York City; his brother, Jay (Celine), of Bethesda; his brother, John (Nancy), of San Francisco, and nieces, nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his wife Karen Timmons Barker in 2018. His parents, James A. Barker and Cozette Barker Godsey, died in 1995 and 2010.
Interment will be private. A memorial service will be held at a future date. Online condolences and memories may be offered to the family at: www.moneyandking.com.
He graduated from Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda in 1978, from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1982, and received a M.A. from George Mason University in 2000.
A devoted and beloved father, Chris is survived by children Kit, Anna, Claire and Laura, of Great Falls, and his stepson, Ryan Taliaferro of New York City; his brother, Jay (Celine), of Bethesda; his brother, John (Nancy), of San Francisco, and nieces, nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his wife Karen Timmons Barker in 2018. His parents, James A. Barker and Cozette Barker Godsey, died in 1995 and 2010.
Interment will be private. A memorial service will be held at a future date. Online condolences and memories may be offered to the family at: www.moneyandking.com.
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I am so sorry for your loss. Chris was such a remarkably kind man with a gift of putting everyone at ease. My thoughts are with you all during this time and I know you will find comfort in one another ~ Lisa Jean Moore
Our family will miss Chris very much. Not only was he a devoted father, he was a mentor and coach to many kids in our community, including ours. Chris was a wonderful man.
Chris came up to me the first week of 7th grade to introduce himself, saying “My Dad knows your Mom”; they had grown up together in Bristol, TN. Small world, indeed! I am so glad he made the effort. I was blessed to have known Chris, and I hope his warmth, compassion, and positive spirit will abide with me always. I pray your grief will subside, and his memory will fill you with joy. Patrick McGlade
Chris, or “Mr. Barker” as we called him in High School, was a great coach and a ton of fun to be around. He brought out the best in me and the team. I would like to offer my sincerest condolences
Chris was a fun, upbeat, hardworking guy. I taught at Congressional schools with him, and he did everything, coaching, teaching, driving a bus, and shovelling snow! My fondest memory of Chris is seeing him coming down the hall with a bag of balls over his shoulder and a bunch of kids in tow. My thoughts and prayers are with his children and siblings.
Chris was a great friend to me for at least 25 years. We skied together, played soccer together, and biked together. In all the years I knew him, he was always the kind of guy who could see the best in everyone and worked to find the best in every situation. As a coach, he always taught his players sportsmanship and to value a tough opponent. He fought to the end so he could be around for his kids. I will miss you, Chris!
My sympathies to all of the families. Chris and I attended Bethesda Presbyterian Church school together along with Maurice Grant. We all ended up at Whitman High school but drifted apart amongst so many students. Maurice brought me up to speed after our most recent Whitman reunion. Best Wishes. Douglas Vann
John and Jay, My thoughts are with Chris’s children and you and your families as you deal with your brother’s passing. It sounds like Chris lived a life full of richness and goodness. Godspeed to all. Bruce Delaplaine
We remember Mr Barker being a super thoughtful coach to our daughter Amanda and taking time out to always be positive with his thoughts. We thank you again for everything and know that our thoughts are with you, Laura (who Amanda played with) and the rest of the family. God Bless Jonathan and Amanda Litt
Chris was always “for the students” – I was the Head of School for five years during which we served together at Congressional School. Chris was straightforward, respectful and loved by students and faculty alike. I am so sorry for his family’s loss.
From your Sunday morning hoops friends, we will miss Chris and the joy he brought to basketball and life. We laughed at his gym bag that had more bandages, medicine and braces than a physician’s bag. He was one of the most competitive and decent guys that we were privileged to know. And it was clear he loved and cherished his family. Rest in peace our friend! Walt
A wonderful man and father. It was such a pleasure to teach his children. Kit and Claire are very special and in my thoughts. Mrs. Michele Thomas
I have not seen Chris since our days together playing soccer at Whitman, but I remember his smile and kindness. My best to his surviving family. Cherish his love. He is in my heart and prayers. Marcelo Radice
Chris is one of the best people I’ve ever known, and I’m lucky to have met him at Oberlin 25 years ago. He was quietly generous and humble, and committed to facing life with a positive attitude, integrity, and boundless energy. He was dedicated to his students and athletes and took well-deserved pride in being a great teacher and coach. He was an ever-present supporter for the kids who were lucky enough to be on his “team.” But anyone who saw him with his children knew that they were the driving force behind every aspect of his life; they were his greatest teachers and his most profound loves. To John and Jay and their families, his dearest friends, and to Ryan, Kit, Anna, Laura, and Claire- I am so sorry for his loss. He was very loved by his community and he will be deeply missed. May he rest in grace and peace.
I’m so sorry to hear this news and I’m thinking of you all.
“Devoted father” is what I will remember you most for, Chris. I enjoyed our phone calls, emails, and you taking time out of your schedule to come to school in person to talk about your children. You wore your love for them on your sleeve. Your desire for them to reach, achieve, and be the best persons they can be was inspirational. You are truly missed.
A great friend who will be sorely missed Art Bergeson
Chris made the world a better place. He shared his skills and experience with everyone he touched, and never asked for anything in return. He used his natural abilities to inspire his students to perform to their highest, and lifted spirits along the way. He was a giving, loving and caring father, brother, husband and friend – and we miss him dearly. Susan, Blair, and Jack Davey
We fondly remember Chris from his days at the Congressional Schools of Virginia where he taught PE and coached a number of sports. Chris sought to encourage his students to do their best in whatever their sport or activity. He will be missed by the Kelley family: Tim, Susan and Matt.
Chris loved people and sports. To his children and brothers – so sorry for your loss.
Chris was my coach at Oberlin College in the late 90s. I moved to DC and Chris followed a year or two later. He joined a coed soccer team that I started and introduced me to a couple of his friends, who also joined the team. Chris, Kurt, and Missy became lifelong friends of mine. Chris was really talkative, and most of the things he would say would be positive things about all the kids he used to coach and what they are up to today. He also loved talking about his children and was so emotional about them while in the hospital. He was set on beating this so he could be there for his kids. This is such a tragedy for Chris and for Kit, Anna, Claire, and Laura. You’ll all be in my thoughts. I hope there will be a memorial service after this pandemic. And I want to help in any way. I don’t live far away in Vienna. Here’s a picture of Chris and Kit from a holiday party in 2002. With love, J.T. Engelhardt James_Engelhardt@Yahoo.com
We are praying that God will bring comfort and peace to the children and family members. Besides being friends, Chris and I ran ski and snowboard trips for hundreds of his student’s since the 1980’s. Chris was always there for his students to assist them in anyway needed in such a caring way. He was always available to give snowboard instruction to the students and they loved snowboarding (skiing in the earlier years) with “Coach Barker”. Paul & Joanie Oesterreicher
Chris and the family were great neighbors for the ten years we lived next door. His devotion to sports and coaching was infectious, and his optimism and energy to take on problems was inspiring. So sad to hear the news. The family will ever stay in our thoughts and prayers.
I grew up down the street from the Barkers on Winterberry Place and knew Chris as an active boy from a great family. I am heartened to know that Chris has four children to carry on his energy and drive. Godspeed Chris. Claire (Roberts) Langford
Many thanks to Coach Chris Barker for initiating Seven Springs ski trips for GISW. Our three girls much appreciated him also as a person. He will be greatly missed. Roy McCall
I enjoyed coaching softball with Chris. He cared a lot about the girls and enjoyed teaching them how to play the game right. My condolences to Laura and the rest of Chris’s family.
Coach barker taught me many things. He made sports class 10000% better. He told me about his times with the students who graduated more than 10 years ago. He wasn’t just a teacher- he was a friend. May he rest in peace and lots of prayers to his family <3
Chris was a great friend since I met him in 2004 working together at Congressional School. We played golf several times for the school’s golf tourney, and I always recall Chris’s signature “glass-is-half-full” line when trying to hit the green: “Pin high!” The ball could have been 100 yards to the left of the hole, but to Chris, you had the distance! Chris was also a hit playing basketball on Sunday mornings. He loved it these past 4 years or so, and he made many good friends. Lastly, I’ll miss Chris and I calling each other “Doctor” after a famous scene in the 80s movie Spies Like Us. I’ll miss him. My heart goes out to his family. He adored them.
Dear Chris – although we have not seen each other for close to 30 years, your passing is causing me great grief. As I am beginning to teach b-ball to my own son and coach his soccer team, I often reflect on the many victories we celebrated and (sometimes) defeats suffered as a team with you as our coach, mentor and friend at the German School. You shaped us far beyond sports and sportsmanship. To this day, I draw strength from our shared time and I would like your family and children (unfortunately, I only remember meeting Ryan when he was still a kid) to know what tremendous positive impact you have left with many of us (now living all over the globe). Thank you for everything! While many images come to mind, I have no pictures to share (for lack of mobile phones back then). Among many of the memories one has stuck in particular with me. I still remember vividly how in one of our end-of-practice games, after grabbing a rebound, I landed with my elbow on your nose. Made me feel really bad for days. Luckily enough there was no lasting impact to your looks. Dear family and children of Chris – I wish to express my sincere condolences. I pray that you stay strong and united as a family and continue to live in the spirit that Chris embodied. Dirk
Chris was a tremendous competitor in any endeavor, thoughtful, kind and a friend to all. We have all been blessed to know him for a moment or a lifetime.
Chris was one of my very best friends since 1978, when we met at Rhodes College (then called Southwestern at Memphis). He was such a great friend, and I will never forget him. We played soccer together, were in each other’s weddings, laughed together and cried together. Also, he was probably the best father that I have ever known. He truly loved his kids and would do anything for them. He was always there for me, and I miss him greatly. I’ll see you on the other side, my friend.
I just heard about Chris’ passing and am so sad. What a lovely, lovely guy. I can hardly call him “Chris,” he’s really just “Coach.” Chris was my coach for three wonderful, crazy years at Oberlin College. He was passionate, kind, and gave us the room we needed to create a really special, just wonderful team experience. Chris was such a loving, intense guy – I have so many memories…including those road games in Vermont. Tearing up a bit. A lovely guy. A privilege to know him and Karen. Very sad, but have hope in God’s love for us and Chris’ victory over death. God bless everybody. With love, Brendan Cody
Barks was truly an example of how a person should handle themselves and treat others in both good times and bad. He was an excellent role model who loved life and everyone who entered his world particularly his kids. I met Chris at Ohio Wesleyan and roomed with him his senior year. We shared some amazing times together in college but one of my favorite memories is when in the middle of the night we decided to go snow snurfing in subzero temperatures. The weather was so cold and snowy our eyes partially froze shut when we blinked. We laughed the entire time we were out there while we both seriously tried to be the first one to make it all of the way down the hill without crashing. There was the time when Chris bet a keg of beer that he could run a sub 4 minute mile. This was a true display of his confidence and competitiveness. He was fast but not quite fast enough. He happily ponied up the cash for the keg and we had an awesome party in our room. The experiences only got better after college when I called him up and asked him to travel cross country with me. At first he said no because he had a job. After thinking about it for a bit, he decided to quit his job and come on the trip. Off we went sleeping on friend’s couches, in the car, in the tent and an occasional Motel 6 when we needed to freshen up a bit. We bee lined it to Denver and then zigzagged from Denver through a ton of different national parks to San Francisco. After enjoying some time touring the area, we hitched south along the coast from there and then all of the way back north to Washington State. One time, we got a ride from a woman who panned for gold for a living!?! She was as happy as could be but her truck and teeth needed some repair. One evening we walked into a bar with our bright orange backpacks. It was full of soil covered men. All conversations stopped and they turned towards us and stared. We didn’t have enough nerve to run so we walked up to the bar feeling all eyes upon us. As it turned out they were miners that worked miles down into the earth and they were as curious about us as we were of them. One last comment. He used to sleep walk and talk on occasion. This is why I always slept by the entrance to the tent so I would know if he was heading out in the middle of the night. One night he was leaning up on one are tapping me on the shoulder whispering, “It’s just outside the door.”. I’m on high alert now slowly and quietly unzipping the flap to see what it is. Nothing, absolutely nothing. I looked over my shoulder and, of course, he was fast asleep. I should have know because this wasn’t the first time he did something like this. Barks and I shared so many great experiences and memories. I am so fortunate we met in college and even luckier he quit his job so we could take a trip of a lifetime together. Chris will always be in my heart and I miss him greatly.
This is flat-out awesome, thank you for sharing this!
Dear Kit, Anna, Claire, Laura, and Ryan: My deepest sympathies to you all as you struggle with the losses of both your dad and mom. May you cherish good memories and turn toward each other for support and love during this difficult time in your lives. Take care, Barbara DeHart
Anna, you have been a great friend to Katherine for many years at Langley, Cooper and Great Falls Elementary. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Thanks very much to everyone who has posted (so far!). We really appreciate every message. It is comforting to know how others shared our love for and appreciation of Chris. The Barkers
I was lucky enough to meet and take care of Mr. Barker during his illness (as a nurse). Our staff got to know him well as he stayed with us for quite some time. All of our staff loved taking care of Mr. Barker and considered him a part of our family. He was always a beacon of light, and an inspiration to us in his battle against this cancer. He always seemed to have a positive outlook and spoke of nothing but getting home to his kids and getting well. I am so sad to hear of his passing, but glad to know he is no longer suffering and is in a better place. I will never forget him and hope to take his kind spirit with me wherever I go. We are sending our love and support to all of his family and friends during this rocky time.
I’m so sorry for Chris and Karen’s children. I knew your parents 30 years ago. They were such great friend. Chris was the soccer coach at camp in MA. Karen was art. I was the water front director. We had many a great time that summer. I’ve never forgotten them all these years and would have loved to had connected again. Great people. Eric Damery Dunedin, FL Edamery@gmail.com
Coaches are often underappreciated as educators and shapers of people. I graduated from the German school in ’92, and was fortunate to have had him as a teacher for several years. Coach B. was kind, approachable and cared deeply about people. Above all else, he was a stand-out human being. I’ve met a lot of people over the years, but I’ve met very few people like Chris. The number of people expressing similar sentiments here makes a couple things very clear – he impacted a lot of people positively and leaves behind both a vibrant legacy as well as an example of how to do the right things the right way. Abrazo fuerte to his family and friends!
To John, Jay, and the surviving Barker family, my condolences. I am just now reading about Chris’s passing after consulting a WWHS alumni website, and was very saddened to learn of his death.
I last saw Chris at you father’s memorial service in 1995 and was impressed at the enthusiasm with which he recalled our countless street ball and touch football contests on Winterberry Court many decades before. I am sure that he brought the same playfulness to his work as a coach, and this may explain why so many now miss his guidance, sportsmanship and friendship.