Barker, Austin "Buzz"
AUSTIN "Buzz" BARKER
On September 9th, in 1949, he married one fabulous lady. Oh, how I loved to see her smile. Five years younger, Helen Louise Swisher was born in Danville, Illinois, the daughter of Lemuel Henry and Fern (Edwards) Swisher. Helen had a kidney problem and likely passed it along to the next generation. Sadly, Helen passed away after kidney surgery in Danville, Illinois and is buried in Riverside Cemetery at Attica. She wasn’t yet 37 years old. What a beauty, inside and out. In 1971, Buzz married Cynthia Jane Knowles and although I met her a couple of times, I can’t say I really knew her.
I mainly knew Buzz as the Chrysler-Dodge-Plymouth dealer (Barker Motors) in Attica. My dad said he was so honest that if the bill came out with two extra pennies profit for Buzz, he'd turn around and give one or both back. Dad purchased a new car just about every year from him for his mail route car and bought me my first one as a teenager. It was so nifty and I was so excited to drive it home only it broke down not far out of Attica, so I got in dad’s car with him, and we went back. Buzz said, “Someone’s in trouble. We don’t sell cruddy used cars. I don’t want you in that one, Karen.” Shucks, it was a beaut but only on the outside. We actually ended-up not getting me one at all but Dad bought another new one for the family and I drove it. Gorgeous, gorgeous 383 Red Satellite convertible.
Buzz was a joiner and everyone loved him. At the Barker reunion, when anyone would see his sister Thelma, they’d ask, “Is Buzz coming? Is Buzz coming?” and barely say hi to her. I loved her, as well, yet it was true that between Buzz and my dad the Barker reunions were always great fun!
Buzz and Helen had two beautiful daughters, very active at Attica HS. Sondra Lynn “Soni” the oldest and I were just four months apart and then there was Sharon Kay “Sherri.” Both of the girls became teachers, Sherri English at Seeger and Soni Art at Attica. Soni developed what I think was the same kidney problems her mother had and was in serious trouble when Buzz decided he was saving his daughter. He was at the very top age to give a kidney and both were sick afterwards but after quite a spell, all was well. Soni named her new kidney “Pops,” and after a lengthy, rough start, Pops worked well for a number of years.
A member of VFW, American Legion, Scottish Rite, Eagles, Methodist Church, and having his own business, Buzz knew many people and when he got into politics and ran for State Rep and filled that position for ten years. During this time, he was quite active, chairing the Public Police Committee, member of the Ways & Means Committee, Inter-State coop Committee, Cities and Towns Committee and was a member of the Legislative Council. Governor Otis Bowen appointed him to the State Alcoholic Beverage Commission in 1973 and he served two, four-year terms as the Commissioner. Bowen awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash to Buzz. Quite impressive, he had a 17-year-running as a legislative consultant and lobbyist after he finished as one. He had some major impressive companies and organizations he worked with (Indiana Sheriff’s Association; Indiana Prosecuting Attornies; Car & Trust Council; and on and on. He requested that anyone wishing to give to anything, though, to please give to the National Kidney Foundation.
Buzz was a fine man, one who would risk his life for his country, his daughter and was always working to make this a better state! Bless you Buzz!