Roll Call Tribute

Leonard Bell Barker, Jr.
June 29, 1938 – August 6, 2022

Major Leonard Bell Barker, Jr. (Ret), passed away in Houston, Texas early Saturday morning, August 6, 2022, after battling cancer and other ailments for the past year and a half. He was 84.

Leonard was born in Texon, Texas on June 29, 1938, the oldest of three children. He is predeceased by his parents Leonard Bell Barker, Sr. and Mary Champion Barker, his wife Pilar Barker, and sister Mary Ann Martin.

Leonard is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, John and Austine Barker; his two nephews and their wives: Harry A. and Martha Davis, Scott and Antoinette Barker, and their families.

Leonard entered Texas A&M in 1956 and was in the class of 1960. As a member of the Corps of Cadets he served with D Field Artillery and B Field Artillery during his stay. Upon graduation Leonard entered the Army and served in active duty from 1961-1978. As part of the Airborne Division, he served two tours in Vietnam with distinction for which he received the Bronze Star. He achieved the rank of Major before retiring from the Army Reserves in 1998. During his military service, Leonard was stationed in Germany, Fort Campbell, KY, Richmond, VA, and St. Petersburg, PA.

After his military service, Leonard moved to Houston in 1978 to begin his second career as a Petroleum Engineer, working independently and for several oil and gas firms. He retired in 2017.

Leonard was a loyal Aggie Football season ticket holder and was active in several Aggie organizations and activities upon his return to civilian life. He was active in the Houston Texas A&M Club receiving the Harris Award for Volunteer Service in 1981, and later serving as President in 1984.

A service to honor Leonard will be held at the American Heritage Funeral Home at 10710 Veteran’s Memorial, Houston, Texas 77038 on August 23, 2022 at 12:00 pm, with a service at the Houston Memorial Cemetery immediately following.