Robert Barker

Robert “Bob” Barker, age 80, died at Danville Regional Medical Center on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, after recent years of declining health. Bob was born on October 1, 1935, in Roxboro, N.C. He lived in Milton, N.C. until the late 1950’s when he relocated to Chatham, Va. After growing up on a tobacco farm in Milton, Bob moved to Chatham to accept a supervisor’s position at Chatham Knitting Mill. Later, he became known for his various business interests, including laundromats, car washes and Quick Stop Markets convenience stores. He owned Danville Office Supply from 1981-1987. His last entrepreneurial projects were with New-Tech, in Virginia and South Carolina. Bob was a longtime member of Oakland United Methodist Church in Dry Fork, Va. and most recently of Saint Luke’s United Methodist Church in Danville, Va. He was a member of the Pittsylvania Masonic Lodge #29. Bob, is survived by his daughter, Carol Rolston, of Williamsburg, Va.; son, Rick Barker, of Danville, Va.; daughter, Tracey Skidmore, of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and step-sons, Bill Powell, of Danville, Va., and Dean Powell, of Chatham, Va. One of nine children, he is survived by his sister, Margret Walters, of Ringgold, Va.; and his brother, Walter Barker, of Richmond, Va. He was predeceased in death by his parents, Rosa and Walter Barker, of Milton, N.C. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 18, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Townes Memorial Chapel with Reverend Robert Hardy officiating.  Interment will follow at Highland Burial Park.  The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Townes Funeral Home before the service. Townes Funeral Home, 215 West Main Street, is serving the Barker family.