Fred Barker is a prospective member recently approved by the board of directors.
Fred was born and raised in Upstate New York. He is an only child and was raised on a dairy farm. After school, he joined the U.S. Navy and was discharged in 1968. He worked for Xerox for 10 years.
In 1978, Fred moved to Connecticut to work for the department of Mental Retardation, now known as the Department of Persons with Disabilities. He went to school while working and became a case manager with the state working with people with mental disabilities.
Fred retired in 2005 after 27 years. His wife passed away in 2009 after 27 years of marriage. They have 10 children between us, as they had previous marriages. Two children are deceased.
Fred moved back to Phelps, New York in 2011. He has volunteered at the Newark Hospital. Fred became Commander of the Newark American Legion in 2017 and is currently the Commander. He is also a member of the Presbyterian Church, the Wayne County Motorcycle Club and the Phelps American Legion Riders. All of these organizations give back to the community.
Fed believes that God and Country have been very good to him and he wants to give back to the community.
Fred is also a great admirer of Martin Luther King, Jr., who said it is not the color of your skin but the content of your character that is important.