The City of Orlando honors City Commissioner George A. Barker Jr.
Barker was raised in Orlando and was the President of his senior class at Orlando High School before attending the University of Florida to earn a degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation he returned to Orlando to work.
He was first elected in 1952 and it is said he was familiar with every street, paved or otherwise, in his district. He was seen as trusted, hard-working and the voice of reason, as well as a peacemaker.
George A. Barker Jr. was named Acting Mayor upon the death of Mayor Bob Carr in January of 1967, until the election of Carl Langford in March. This was not unusual as he was frequently named Acting Mayor in the absence of a traveling or sick mayor. He was trusted in this role. The following month, on April 29, 1967 Barker suffered a heart attack at his home on Nieuport Avenue and later died at Orange Memorial Hospital, now known as Orlando Regional Medical Center. More than 500 people showed up to his funeral service in a city with a population of less than 100,000 at the time.
Barker served on the board of Orange County Economic Opportunity Inc., the Ambulance Advisory Committee, the Fairview Park Board, election canvassing boards and was a Director of the Central Florida Fair. He was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and the Odd Fellows.
The park site at Gore Street and South Tampa Avenue was specifically purchased and annexed into the city to create a lighted park to commemorate George A. Barker Jr. The footbridge was installed in July of 1967 along with the boat launch (constructed by FWC) with playground equipment, restrooms, picnic facilities and fencing added in the following years.