George Barker was born near Falling Water, Tennessee, in 1901. He attended Baylor School, where he came under the influence of Dr. Alexander Guerry, who helped shape his life. Barker excelled in several sports at Baylor and his senior year was selected as “Athlete of the Year.” Under Dr. Guerry’s persuasion, Barker entered the University of the South at Sewanee in 1922. He played on the varsity baseball team and the varsity golf team and served as captain of the basketball and football teams. In 1925 he won the coveted Porter Cup, awarded annually to the university’s outstanding athlete. Well-liked on campus, Barker was also senior class president. The highlight of his sports career was the football victory over Vanderbilt on Thanksgiving day, 1924, which was to be the last football victory that the Tigers enjoyed over the Commodores. After four happy years at Sewanee, Barker returned in 1926 to the Baylor School as a member of the coaching staff and a teacher. During World War II, Barker served in the Army in Hawaii. At the end of his tour of duty, he returned to Tennessee and soon afterward secured a position in the treasurer’s office of his college alma mater. He remained at Sewanee until retiring in 1966. A great athlete and a devoted alumnus, George H. Barker has a well-earned place of distinction in the proud histories of both the Baylor School and the University of the South.
