Abram F. "Toto" Barker

December 3, 1934 - May 5, 2018

Abram F. Barker III, 83, known to friends as "Toto," passed away at his home in Bristol, Va. on Saturday, May 5th, 2018, surrounded by his family. Toto was born to the late Abram F. Barker Jr. and Mary Lou Barker. He had one brother, the late Jack McFaddin Barker of Mendota, VA. and Naples, FL. Born in Mendota, Va., on December 3, 1934, his family moved to Bristol in 1948 when Toto was fourteen years old. After graduating from Virginia High School he attended Memphis State followed by The University of Virginia, where, in 1958, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. During his 4th year at UVA, Toto had the honor of living on the east lawn in room 8 near the Rotunda. He was also a member of the Theta Delta Chi Fraternity. After graduating from UVA, Toto moved back to Bristol where he opened a construction and paving company. Soon thereafter he partnered with his brother, Jack Barker and began the Barker Brothers Construction Company. The Barker brothers did many construction projects around the Tri Cities area, most notably the reconfiguration of the track at the Bristol Motor Speedway in 1971 from a flat track to the high banked turns of today. Toto and Jack also did the original construction of the Bristol Dragway. In 1979, Toto purchased the Norfolk and Western Railway Station in downtown Bristol. After renovations and additions he renamed the property The Trainstation Marketplace which operated throughout the 1980's and contained many restaurants and specialty shops. Toto is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nancy Pendergrass Barker, and their three children, Debbie Farrell and husband Wayne of Woodstock, GA; Kim Sorensen of Bristol, VA and Abram F. Barker IV (Brother) and wife Lynne of Bristol, VA. He is also survived by grandchildren, Audrey Sorensen Carter, Lauren Elizabeth Farrell, Abram Forrest Barker V and great –granddaughter, Sydney Ann Carter as well as niece, Julia Barker of Mendota, VA., and her daughter, Alexandria Gibson of Nashville, TN. The Barker family would like to thank Dr. Andrew Brockmyre and his staff for providing great medical care to Toto for many years as well as Dr. James Schrenker and the entire staff at Caris Healthcare for providing tender and compassionate hospice care during the final months of Toto’s life. A special thanks to Shanda Bryant, Jennifer Price, Tracy Stoots, Jessica Sullivan and other caregivers who helped take care of Toto for the past three years. Anyone who knew Toto, knew his greatest joy in life was family and friends, good eating, and all his beagles. A celebration of life will be conducted at 6:00 P.M., Monday, May 14, 2018 in Akard Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Scott Price officiating. The family will receive friend from 4:00 – 6:00 P.M., Monday, prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation to the Holston United Methodist Home for Children, 404 Holston Dr., Greenville, TN 37743 or your local animal shelter. Condolences and memories may be left for the family at akardfuneralhome.com Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State St., Bristol, TN )423) 989-4800 is serving the Barker family.