Dr. Hampton E. “Sonny” Barker, Jr. age 79, of Arab passed away Sat. Aug. 8, 2015, at Huntsville Hospital.  Dr. Barker was born on Sept. 21, 1935, in Union Springs, AL to Dr. Hampton E., Sr. and Isabel Fowler Barker.  Dr. Barker served in the US Army in the Signal Corp  and the National Guard where he was a Warrant Officer.  He graduated from the University of Alabama and then taught school for 2 years before he entered Dental School.  He graduated from the University of  Alabama  School of Dentistry and began practice in 1965. Dr. Barker was a Charter Member of the Arab Rotary Club and was a member of the Jaycees.  He was a Mason and a Shriner.  He was an active member of the Arab First United Methodist Church where he served on the Finance Committee and Administrative Counsel.  He was also active in the Men’s Prayer Breakfast Group.  He went on Mission Trips to Honduras, Ecuador and Mexico.  He was a member of the Alabama Emmaus Community, Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association , Walking Horse Association of Alabama and the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.  Dr. Barker volunteered for the Great Physician Clinic and was a member of the American and Alabama Dental Associations.  

Survivors include his Wife: Nancy Barker of Arab; Son: Andrew “Bucky”  and Wife, Laura Barker of Falls Church, VA; Daughters: Dr. Catharine Barker Willis and Husband, Jack  of Arab and Aimee Barker Blackburn of Arab; Brother: Dr. Michael T. Barker and Wife, Deborah Barker of Boaz; Sisters: Dr. Isabel Barker Oldshue and Husband, Dr. Jerry Oldshue of Tuscaloosa and Carol Scott and Husband, Dr. William A. Scott of Grand Junction, CO; Grandchildren: Julianne Willis, Andrew Willis, Matthew Willis, Trey Blackburn, Alie Blackburn, Lucy Barker and Maggie Barker.  He was preceded in death by his Parents: Dr. Hampton E. Sr. and Isabel Barker and Sister: Diana Barker Presley.   Funeral Service will be Wednesday Aug. 12, 2015, at 2 PM at Arab First United Methodist Church with Revs. Steve West, Mike Shirley and Roy Bryant officiating. Dr. Barker’s body will lie in state at the Church from 1 PM until 2 PM.   Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery in Boaz.  Visitation will be Tues. from 6 PM until 8 PM at Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel.  Pallbearers will be: Roye Marshall, Trey Blackburn, Nathan Clark, John McCaleb, Billy Wayne Tolton, Justin Alldredge, Zack Tankersley, Andrew Willis and Matthew Willis.  Honorary Pallbearers will be members of Arab Rotary Club and Members of  the Men’s Prayer Breakfast Group .at Arab First United Methodist Church.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Arab First United Methodist Church Building Fund.