Obituary of Gary Morton Barker, 79
Gary Morton Barker.
– Gary Morton Barker passed into the presence of His Lord and Savior on March 17, 2025.
Gary was born on January 14, 1946, in Whittier, California, to Harmon Boyd and Josephine Lee Barker. He grew up in Pico Rivera. He had an older brother, Steve, and 4 years later, a younger brother, Douglas Lee Barker.
His family moved to Davis, California, when he was a Junior in High School. Gary was known as an outstanding athlete. He graduated from Davis High School in 1963, headed for a career in coaching. The direction of his life drastically changed when he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior in 1963. God gave him a passion to learn the Bible.
He attended Sierra Junior College for one year.
He attended and graduated from:
- Western Baptist Bible College with a Bachelor of Science in 1967
- San Francisco Theological Seminary with the Master of Divinity in 1971
- California Graduate School of Theology with a Doctor of Ministries in 1981
In 1966, he married Mariann Chastagner. They had 3 children.
During seminary days, he served as the youth pastor at Westbrae Bible Church in Berkeley.
After he finished his Master’s, he was called as pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Paso Robles, where he served for 15 years. During that time, the church started Grace Christian Academy. He loved teaching theology to the high schoolers and often joked that his students could easily win a challenge against most of the adults in the church.
In 1986, he was called to Amador Valley Baptist Church, where he served for 16 years. During those years, God gave Gary his heart’s desire to coach. He had the privilege and blessing of volunteering for 6 years as a coach for Special Olympics, which brought him much joy.
In 1999, he accompanied Evangelist Jim Cook on a trip to Africa. Jim held Evangelistic meetings, and Gary taught the pastors. During that trip, God opened his eyes and his heart to the great need for theological training in Africa. That resulted in Gary applying to Baptist Mid Missions and becoming a missionary educator in Zambia. While there, he upgraded a Bible Institute to a 4-year Bible College and partnered with other missionaries in planting a local church In Choma.
Gary returned to the States in 2015 and in 2017 was called back to pastor Grace Baptist Church in Paso Robles, where he served until he retired in 2022.
Gary was an active member of Rotary in Pleasanton, Zambia, and Paso Robles.
Gary and his wife relocated to Tracy in 2024 to be near their family. Even in retirement, Gary continued his passion to study God’s Word and share what he learned with others.
Gary is survived by:
- His wife: Mariann Cecelia Chastagner Barker
- Children: Gregory Philippe Barker, Tricia Lavelle Barker, Barton Lee Barker
- Grandchildren: Monika Lima, Victor Lima Jr., Vincent Lima, Bryce Barker, Caleb Barker, Brooklyn Barker.
- Great grandchildren: Landon Christensen, Kaylee Lima, Dominque Spamanato, Camille Lima, Kyla Lima.
- Brother: Douglas Lee Barker
The Paso Robles Daily News accepts and publishes local obituaries and death notices free of charge from individuals and local funeral homes. See information and tips here on writing an obituary. Please submit the obituary a few days before services, if possible. To submit an obituary, please email it to skye@accesspublishing.com with “obituary” in the subject line. Please email a photo along with the obituary.
