Gary Wayne Barker, professor of theatre and associate dean for administration and undergraduate affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences at Saint Louis University, died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. He was 62.
Barker joined SLU in the summer of 2001 and, in his nearly 25 years, was a professor, department chair, and associate dean.
Gary Wayne Barker portrayed Duncan in a production of "Macbeth" in October 2025. Photo by ProPhotoSTL.
“Gary was a man of deep faith who cared greatly for SLU and his craft of acting and directing, and his church,” said Donna LaVoie, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “He was a close confidant of mine and a good sounding board for me in my role both as an associate dean and since I became dean. He had a significant impact on many and will be deeply missed.”
Barker taught classes in acting, audition, period styles and movement for the stage. He kept teaching even when he took on the responsibility of associate dean, where he coordinated the work and planning of the CAS deans, served as liaison to University undergraduate curriculum and academic policy committees, and oversaw college undergraduate curriculum, degree conferral and student academic issues.
Barker also served as associate director of the University Undergraduate Core: Eloquentia Perfecta (Oral and Visual Communication).
At SLU, he earned the Chauncey E. Finch Award for Excellence in Mentoring.
“He was wise, compassionate, and funny,” LaVoie said. “He always saw the best in people and was a fierce advocate for students and faculty. He was instrumental in so many ways to SLU and CAS, including the development of our University Core.”
Barker earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and English from Cedarville University. He then earned a master’s in fine arts in acting from Michigan State University.
In addition to his work at SLU, Barker was a decorated actor and director around St.
Louis. He was nominated for multiple awards throughout his career, including the 2005
Kevin Kline Award for outstanding supporting actor in a play. He was the 2020 St.
Louis Theater Circle Award winner for outstanding actor in a drama.
His most recent nomination came in 2025 from the St. Louis Theatre Circle Awards, where he was nominated for his work directing “All My Sons.”
“Gary acted in or directed hundreds of plays,” said Nancy Bell, professor of theatre. “His last performance was King Duncan in Macbeth here on SLU’s mainstage. I’m so grateful to have had that time with him. His performance was gorgeous. He was proud and happy to perform with our company. He poured all his goodness and trustworthiness and fatherly affection into the role.”
Bell said Barker will be remembered fondly by both the SLU and greater St. Louis theater communities.
“Gary was the single most principled person I have known,” Bell said. “He knew what he believed in, what he thought was important, and what he owed other people. He sincerely loved this University. His dedication to his students was absolute. He considered theatre, and particularly the craft of acting, to be quite literally a spiritual quest.”
Outside of SLU, Barker led a small group at church, served in ministerial leadership, and volunteered with benevolence organizations, including “Welcome Neighbor STL.”
A celebration of Gary’s life will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Webster Hills United Methodist Church in Webster Groves. A light reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that people donate to Webster Hills UMC or Welcome Neighbor STL.
