Rick Barker
Donation protected
Rick Barker, a man of true grit.
Grit: in psychology is a positive, non-cognitive trait based on an individual's perseverance of effort combined with the passion for a particular long-term goal or end state (a powerful motivation to achieve an objective).
Rick Barker has been our friend for close to 50 years. In fact, Rick has been a friend to everyone that he came across. Born in May of 1961 and raised in Pflugerville, Texas, Rick was a standout athlete and lettered in both football and baseball. Rick was a captain on the 1978 Pflugerville Panther football team. Rick received several awards for his athletic performance during his time as a Panther. Rick was voted Most Popular, Most Handsome and always had a kind and engaging way. Rick was truly a friend to all in our community.
Rick and Anissa have been married for 22 years. Their son, Blaine, is a Senior at Pflugerville Hendrickson High School where he too is a two sport Letterman like his father has been accepted to Texas State University. MyKayla, Rick’s daughter has a degree from Tarleton State and lives and works in the Dallas metro area.
Rick has always made everyone he touched feel special, his warmth and generosity is always in abundance when he engages in even the most casual of meetings and he does it in such a mild and easy going manner. He always makes everyone at ease and feel comfortable and gives you his complete attention.
Back in the day, the late ‘70’s and early ‘80’s, at night we were posing and partying and going to dance halls, during the day we were working and studying just to do it all over again. Pressed jeans and Polo’s, Justin Ropers and hair with wings were the fashion of choice and two stepping on the dance floor to George Strait was the stage. Back then bar room scuffles, usually over a girl, were common place and the more popular guys were typical targets. What was amazing, utterly astounding to those who were there was that Rick was always above all that. He was the most handsome, the coolest, the best dancer, Rick was always the main attraction. Yet everybody loved Rick. Everybody knew Rick and every guy wanted to be Rick. Rick has always maintained that persona and as a result there are a lot of people that can count Rick as a friend.
What many may not know is the true depth of character that is Rick. Integrity, generous, kind, respectful, responsible, hard worker, husband, father and, friend are all adjectives that can be used to describe Rick. No euphemism is too big. When one is bestowed with the gifts that Rick possesses, its easy to be a little louder, a little arrogant and, less humble while going through life, none of which are traits that are attributed to Rick. He is a friend to all and the best that there is at being that friend. To be that person, to be that guy, that man, takes grit.
When life is suddenly altered, when a monumental shift in the universe of life occurs it can be devastating on many levels. Being young, having a family to provide for, the normal everyday responsibilities those things bring; a mortgage, car payments, college expenses, typical bills, can become debilitating financially when that shift in the universe occurs. Rick’s universe and that of his family has shifted and thus so has all of our universes.
About three years ago Rick was diagnosed with having Prostate Cancer and just like Rick approaches life, the way Rick engages all of us who are fortunate enough to know him, he faces his health prospects with grit. Rick has had three different chemotherapy treatments, two radiation treatments, three surgeries and yet in 110 degree summers or 40 degree winters you can find him on a roof, bidding another job, making a home for a customer a little better than what it was and I guarantee you, making another friend. You see, Rick has grit and seven days ago, Monday January 28th, Rick was advised by his doctors to stop all treatment as the cancer had spread into his pelvis, abdomen, spine and lymphatic system. On Friday, Rick told me he was going to go bid three jobs and asked me to tag along. Yes indeed, Rick has grit.
Today, let us show some grit ourselves. Let us help in a gritty sort of way. By giving a little of ourselves we can ease some of the burdens that lay ahead for Rick and his family. Our goal is to raise $50,000 for Rick and his family. All proceeds will be used solely for Rick’s day to day expenses and current obligations.
If you prefer to donate by check, please mail your donation, made out to Anissa Barker, to TACK Development 230 Klattenhoff Lane Suite 100 Hutto, TX 78634. Please note that paying by check would avoid any transaction fees charged by this fundraising website and would be given directly to Rick and his Family.
Grit: in psychology is a positive, non-cognitive trait based on an individual's perseverance of effort combined with the passion for a particular long-term goal or end state (a powerful motivation to achieve an objective).
Rick Barker has been our friend for close to 50 years. In fact, Rick has been a friend to everyone that he came across. Born in May of 1961 and raised in Pflugerville, Texas, Rick was a standout athlete and lettered in both football and baseball. Rick was a captain on the 1978 Pflugerville Panther football team. Rick received several awards for his athletic performance during his time as a Panther. Rick was voted Most Popular, Most Handsome and always had a kind and engaging way. Rick was truly a friend to all in our community.
Rick and Anissa have been married for 22 years. Their son, Blaine, is a Senior at Pflugerville Hendrickson High School where he too is a two sport Letterman like his father has been accepted to Texas State University. MyKayla, Rick’s daughter has a degree from Tarleton State and lives and works in the Dallas metro area.
Rick has always made everyone he touched feel special, his warmth and generosity is always in abundance when he engages in even the most casual of meetings and he does it in such a mild and easy going manner. He always makes everyone at ease and feel comfortable and gives you his complete attention.
Back in the day, the late ‘70’s and early ‘80’s, at night we were posing and partying and going to dance halls, during the day we were working and studying just to do it all over again. Pressed jeans and Polo’s, Justin Ropers and hair with wings were the fashion of choice and two stepping on the dance floor to George Strait was the stage. Back then bar room scuffles, usually over a girl, were common place and the more popular guys were typical targets. What was amazing, utterly astounding to those who were there was that Rick was always above all that. He was the most handsome, the coolest, the best dancer, Rick was always the main attraction. Yet everybody loved Rick. Everybody knew Rick and every guy wanted to be Rick. Rick has always maintained that persona and as a result there are a lot of people that can count Rick as a friend.
What many may not know is the true depth of character that is Rick. Integrity, generous, kind, respectful, responsible, hard worker, husband, father and, friend are all adjectives that can be used to describe Rick. No euphemism is too big. When one is bestowed with the gifts that Rick possesses, its easy to be a little louder, a little arrogant and, less humble while going through life, none of which are traits that are attributed to Rick. He is a friend to all and the best that there is at being that friend. To be that person, to be that guy, that man, takes grit.
When life is suddenly altered, when a monumental shift in the universe of life occurs it can be devastating on many levels. Being young, having a family to provide for, the normal everyday responsibilities those things bring; a mortgage, car payments, college expenses, typical bills, can become debilitating financially when that shift in the universe occurs. Rick’s universe and that of his family has shifted and thus so has all of our universes.
About three years ago Rick was diagnosed with having Prostate Cancer and just like Rick approaches life, the way Rick engages all of us who are fortunate enough to know him, he faces his health prospects with grit. Rick has had three different chemotherapy treatments, two radiation treatments, three surgeries and yet in 110 degree summers or 40 degree winters you can find him on a roof, bidding another job, making a home for a customer a little better than what it was and I guarantee you, making another friend. You see, Rick has grit and seven days ago, Monday January 28th, Rick was advised by his doctors to stop all treatment as the cancer had spread into his pelvis, abdomen, spine and lymphatic system. On Friday, Rick told me he was going to go bid three jobs and asked me to tag along. Yes indeed, Rick has grit.
Today, let us show some grit ourselves. Let us help in a gritty sort of way. By giving a little of ourselves we can ease some of the burdens that lay ahead for Rick and his family. Our goal is to raise $50,000 for Rick and his family. All proceeds will be used solely for Rick’s day to day expenses and current obligations.
If you prefer to donate by check, please mail your donation, made out to Anissa Barker, to TACK Development 230 Klattenhoff Lane Suite 100 Hutto, TX 78634. Please note that paying by check would avoid any transaction fees charged by this fundraising website and would be given directly to Rick and his Family.
Fundraising team (2)
Tim Timmerman
Organizer
Hutto, TX
Anissa Barker
Beneficiary
Phil Buckley
Team member
