Former SAS tech inspector dies
Earl Barker, for 11 seasons a technical inspector with the Southern All Star Racing Series, died Saturday at Citizens Baptist Medical Center in his hometown of Talladega, Ala. He was 74.
Barker worked with the B.J.-Parker founded Dirt Late Model tour from 1997-07 and also worked with Parker's asphalt ventures at Birmingham International Raceway and Sayre Speedway. Barker also designed and built Childersburg Speedway.
Calling him "straight as an arrow," former Southern All Star director Kelley Carlton said Barker was a mentor in his role with the series. "Earl not only taught us the nuts and bolts of being a tech official but much about attitudes and manner and humility."
Earl E. Barker Jr. served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam and was owner of Beaunit Grocery and Honey's Restaurant.
Survivors include Dorothy Archer, a significant other, along with his sisters, Frances Glidewell and Nelda Fay Cooper. Visitation is noon-2 p.m. Thursday, July 28 at Curtis and Son Childersburg Chapel in Childersburg, Ala., followed by a 2 p.m. funeral service. Burial will follow at Greenhill Memorial Gardens in Childersburg.
