David "Buck" Allen Harker

Rev. David Allen “Buck” Harker of Evergreen, Colorado, completed his earthly baptismal journey on November 21, 2024.  David was born in Lebanon, Indiana to Thelma and David Henley Harker. He graduated from Martinsville High School, Butler University and Christian Theological Seminary. While at Butler, he met and married the love of his life, Rita Concordia Poe. David was an ordained pastor in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for over 50 years, and served in churches in Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Tennessee. His longest ministry was in Stratford, Texas, where David and Rita raised their two sons. He fulfilled a lifelong dream when he moved “out west” to Colorado. 

David is preceded in death by his parents, Thelma and David; his wife, Rita, and his sister Patricia (Patsy) Freed and his very dear brother-in-law, Lewis Henry Poe II. David is survived by his son Daniel and his wife, Sanda; and Joseph, and his wife, Alicia. David is also survived as well by grandchildren (Melissa and her husband Justin; and Samuel, Jonathan, Sarah and Matthew; and one soon-to-be born great-grandson, Declan). David is also survived by his nieces and nephews; Jimmy, Tommy, Cathy, Michelle and Trey and their families, as well as numerous friends across many miles.

David was well known for his faith, daily wearing a simple wooden cross that he would take from his neck and pass along to anyone who commented on it as a way of sharing the love of Jesus Christ. At his death, a Bible opened to Job 1:21, was nearby. He had that passage, along with many others, highlighted, complete with annotations and took joy in reading the Bible in Hebrew and Greek, throughout his life, including in final months.  

Family and friends hold their love and memories of David close. The family will gather to celebrate his life and love, and he will be laid to rest in Tennessee where his late wife, Rita, is buried. Gifts in memory of David Harker can be given to First Christian Church of Stratford, Evergreen Lutheran Church, or any congregation of your choice, or to Mt. Evans Hospice or Cassia Elk Run Assisted Living.