1 HJR22
2 216550-2
3 By Representative Mooney
4 RFD: Rules
5 First Read: 01-FEB-22
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1
2 ENROLLED, House Joint Resolution,
3 MOURNING THE DEATH OF DR. FRANK MOREHEAD BARKER, JR.
4
5 WHEREAS, it is with profound sorrow that we note the
6 death on December 27, 2021, of Dr. Frank Morehead Barker, Jr.
7 at the age of 89; and
8 WHEREAS, his passing leaves a void in the lives of
9 his loving family, many friends, and the entire community,
10 where he was highly regarded; and
11 WHEREAS, Dr. Barker was born on January 31, 1932, to
12 Frank M. Barker, Sr. and Annie Lee Barker; and
13 WHEREAS, upon graduating from Ramsey High School in
14 1949, Dr. Barker attended Auburn University on a Naval Reserve
15 Officers' Training Corps Scholarship, where he played on the
16 tennis team; after graduating college with an engineering
17 degree, he became a Navy Jet Fighter Pilot and served during
18 the Korean War; during his time in the Navy, he also flew with
19 the Blue Angels as their official photographer; after a few
20 close calls while flying off of aircraft carriers, Dr. Barker
21 believed that God was trying to get his attention; in an
22 effort to amend his ways, he decided to attend seminary,
23 during which time he began pastoring a small church in Oxford,
24 Alabama, and for the first time, he began to question what it
25 truly meant to be a Christian; after an Air Force chaplain
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1 explained that salvation was by grace, Dr. Barker's life was
2 completely transformed, and from that day forward, he lived to
3 share that news with others; and
4 WHEREAS, in 1960, Dr. Barker returned to Birmingham,
5 Alabama, to start Briarwood Church in a storefront in Cahaba
6 Heights; in 1961, he and Barbara Brown Barker were married in
7 the storefront; over the next 39 years, Dr. Barker and his
8 wife served side by side, watching God multiply their church
9 and magnify Himself through their ministry; fueled by the
10 vision of "reaching Birmingham to reach the world for Christ,"
11 Dr. Barker oversaw the foundation of Briarwood Christian
12 School, Birmingham Theological Seminary, Campus Outreach,
13 Briarwood Ballet, Camp Briarwood, and numerous ministries for
14 business and medical professionals; in 1973, he was
15 instrumental in the formation of a new denomination, the
16 Presbyterian Church in America, a conservative break from the
17 mainline Presbyterian Church of the United States of America;
18 until his final breath, Dr. Barker faithfully served the Lord
19 and taught His Word; and
20 WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents;
21 and his sister, Minnie Lee Barker Livingston; and
22 WHEREAS, Dr. Barker is survived by his children,
23 Anita Barnes (Billy), Frank Barker, III (Pam), and Peggy
24 Townes (Tim); 14 grandchildren; nine, plus two on the way,
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1 great-grandchildren; and the thousands of people who know
2 Jesus because of his life; and
3 WHEREAS, although his presence will be greatly
4 missed, the memory of Dr. Barker will be cherished in the
5 hearts of all who knew and loved him; now therefore,
6 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
7 HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the death of Dr. Frank
8 Morehead Barker, Jr. is recorded with deep sadness, and this
9 resolution is offered in tribute to his life, along with
10 heartfelt sympathy to his family, whose grief is shared by
11 many.
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Speaker of the House of Representatives
5
6 President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
House of Representatives7
I hereby certify that the within Act originated in8
9 and was adopted by the House 03-FEB-22.
10
11 Jeff Woodard
12 Clerk
13
14
15
Senate16 08-FEB-22 Adopted
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