Max J. Barker, 93, attained his Heavenly Home on Thursday, December 21, 2023.

He was born January 23, 1930, in Lenoir, N.C., to the late Talmadge L. Barker and Dessie J. Barker.

Raised and educated in Union Grove, N.C., Mr. Barker attended Mitchell College in nearby Statesville, N.C. Married to Wilma Joyce Mills of Troutman, N.C., in 1954, he was later commissioned by the United States Army to serve in Japan at the conclusion of the Korean War. Upon his return, Max began his career with Rental Uniform Service in Statesville and then in Florence, S.C., where he would assume the role as General Manager for 20 years. Later, he was the owner and president of Uniform Rental Service in Louisiana. During his 17-year tenure in Baton Rouge, he served the industry as president of the Louisiana Textile Association and president of the Five State Textile Association. In 1996, the Barkers sold the company and returned to their beloved North Carolina, settling on Lake Norman in Mooresville.

A member of the South Iredell Lions Club, Barker served as both president and chaplain of the association for several years. A devoted Christian, he was also an active member of Berea Baptist Church in Mooresville and later Union Grove Christian Church, serving both as a proud deacon and choir member.

Max was a man who loved people, never met a stranger and always ready and willing to lend a helping hand. He was the unofficial welcoming committee of his neighborhood and will be missed by his many friends of all ages.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Alice Jane Templeton, and grandson-in-law, Martin Sayer. He is survived by his two daughters, Robin (Johnny) Stoupenos of Florence, S.C., and Kim (Eddie) Glass of Mooresville, N.C.; grandchildren, Leigh (Jason) Bazen, Matt (Jenna) Stoupenos, Carrie (Joey) Beeler, Chris (Erin) Glass, and Ashley Sayer; and great grandchildren, Kayleigh and Macray Beeler, Harper and Hudson Glass, Roger Sayer, and Austyn and Clay Bazen.

Funeral arrangements will be handled by Troutman Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at Union Grove Christian Church on Saturday, December 23, 2023, at 11 a.m. with the service to follow at 12 noon. The burial will be held afterwards alongside his beloved wife of 61 years at Grassy Knob Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu flowers, memorials may be made to The National Kidney Foundation or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.