Fletcher Raamie Barker, Jr, 73, of Chapmanville, WV, departed this life on Sunday, February 9, 2020 in Chapmanville, WV.
He was born November 19, 1946 in Logan, WV, the son of the late Fletcher “Shag” Barker and Betty Jane Barker.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his in-laws, Nim and Margaret Farley.
Raamie always said “I hope that in my work I have helped to put Chapmanville and its schools, and especially its kids on the map. It was an especially great pleasure to represent them and work for them; the greatest young people ever.”
Raamie loved to spend time with his family, reading books and helping others. He was a 1964 graduate from Chapmanville High School and 1968 Marshall University; Masters in Journalism from Marshall 1992. He served as Editor for Bob Jones University Magazine; Three time President of Chapmanville Kiwanis Club; taught at Chapmanville, Sharples, Logan and Chapmanville Regional High Schools; adjunct faculty at University of Charleston and Southern WV Community and Technical College; newspaper editor in three states and four WV counties; He is the mayor of Chapmanville. He served in the administration of Arch A. Moore Jr. as Labor Commissioner and aide to the governor; served then Lt. Governor and Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin as chief of staff and later as his gubernatorial senior advisor; Secretary to the Board of Governors of Southern Community and Technical College; advised on the passage of legislation which created the Promise Scholarship and the West Virginia Sesquicentennial Commission; Speech writer to both Governor Moore and Governor Tomblin. Member of the First Baptist Church of Chapmanville, pastored by the late John Goff, who taught him much about helping and doing for others both spiritually as well as physically.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 49 years, Lillian “Bunny” Barker; two daughters, Ashlee (Matt) Vititoe and Courtenay (Ryan) Webb; one son, Josh (Jill) Barker; three sisters, Judy (John) Short, Dawn (Thurman) Adams and Prudy (Joe) Creamens; two brothers, George (AlynSue) Barker and John (Kelley) Barker; four grandchildren, Madison Webb, Brody Webb, Katy Barker and Lilly Barker; three foster children, Penny Russ, Tammy Wilcox and Carolyn Vallandingham; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Chapmanville Regional High School with Jeff Hargraves, Greg Dalton, and Josh Barker officiating.
Memorial visitation will be on Saturday, February 15, 2020 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm at the high school.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Shag Barker Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O George Baker, 2700 Garrett Fork Road, Chapmanville, WV 25508.
Freeman Funeral Home, Chapmanville, WV is in charge of the arrangements.