Cover photo for Max Barker's Obituary
Max Barker Profile Photo
1928 Max 2013

Max Barker

March 10, 1928 — March 6, 2013

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, March 11, 2013 at the Augusta Community Church for Max Barker, age 84 of Augusta, MT. Max died March 6, 2013 at his home in Augusta, MT from natural causes. A reception will follow at the Augusta Youth Center. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Gorder Jensen Funeral Home of Choteau. Interment of his cremated remains will be in the Augusta Cemetery at a later date.



Max was born March 10, 1928 in Ames, Iowa, the son of Paul Isaac and Cecile (Metcalf) Barker. He spent his childhood and young adult years in Iowa Falls, IA. Max attended Iowa State University and then worked on a large dairy farm in Connecticut until returning to Iowa and joining the National Guard.



Max rented a farm in Iowa Falls and married his childhood friend, Ann in February 1950. He and Ann farmed until 1958 when they moved to Ames, IA so he could complete his forestry degree. The family then moved to Seeley Lake, MT where Max worked for Northern Pacific. In 1962 the family moved to Spirit Lake, IA where Max worked for the Federal Land Bank, had a small farm and also sold life insurance. In1976, the call of the mountains and the West was so strong that the family packed up and moved to Montana where he owned and operated the JJJ Wilderness Ranch and was an outfitter.



Max had an incredible love for the mountains, horses and mules, and a passion to help others enjoy God's magnificent creation. He also loved gardening and farming, fixing old tractors, forestry and making homemade ice cream for family functions.



Max is survived by his wife and best friend, Ann of the family home in Augusta, MT, children: Wendy (Chuck) Barton of Norfolk, Nebraska, Jane (John) Phillips of Bozeman, Christa (Kirk) Mattingly of Choteau and Ernie (Kim) Barker of Augusta, MT, grandchildren: Emily Barton, Gabe Barton, Jesse (Jason) Mikita, Alyssa (Joe) Nardinger, Brita (Josh) McKenzie, Aliya Vazquez, Kate (Troy) Gomes, Wilson (Renee) Mattingly, Hannah (Eric) Dunn, Kelsey (Joe) Kerney and Hayley Barker and 18 great grandchildren.



He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters: Ruth Evans and Marjorie Richie.



In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Augusta Community Church Pastoral Housing Fund or to the Benefis Peace Hospice.



Online condolences may be left at www.gorderjensenfuneralhome.com



To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Max Barker, please visit our flower store.

Photo Gallery

Guestbook

Visits: 5

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree