Christopher C Barker, age 82, longtime resident of Whidbey Island, died peacefully at home on July 5, 2012, from a cancer-related illness. He was born in London, England on May 24, 1930. His mother, Virginia Barker, was from Tacoma and his father, A. Trevor Barker, was an Englishman.

In July, 1940, Virginia brought her four children to America due to the escalation of World War II in England. They stayed with her mother, Anne T. Beadle, on Vashon Island for their first nine months in this country. Trevor was not allowed to leave the country due to the shortage of manpower. He died the following July.

The family moved to Olympia for the next 12 years. Chris graduated from Olympia High School in 1949 and attended WSU for one year before joining the U.S. Navy. He graduated top of his class in Corps School and ultimately, after 20 years of military service, achieved the rank of Hospital Corpsman Master Chief. He became a submariner serving aboard the following submarines: USS Sea Cat, USS Sargo, USS Benjamin Franklin and the USS Flasher. He retired in 1971 at Pearl Harbor where he had been stationed for the last 12 years.

Chris built his own 22-ton ferro-cement hull 55 foot sailboat, the Ama Ama II, during his off hours and launched it in Hawaii the same week he retired. After settling on Whidbey Island, he took an active part in the Whidbey Island Radio Control Society and built over 30 RC model airplanes which he flew for many years. He was awarded a Lifetime Membership in the club in 2010.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Gwenn Barker Harsh and brother, David K. Barker. Survivors include his sister, Ann Barker Holland; niece Dana Skutt Delman of Claremont, Calif.; nephew, Jim Skutt of Portland, Ore., and his beloved cat, Obe.

A memorial for Chris will be held at the Oak Harbor Yacht Club on Sunday, Aug. 19, at 2 p.m. Military honors will be provided by the NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, friends may donate to Hospice of the Northwest Foundation, PO Box 1376, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273, or WAIF, PO Box 1108, Coupeville, WA 98239.

Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.wallinfuneralhome.com