Former state House speaker dies of stroke

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Former state House Speaker Jim Barker died Monday after suffering a stroke. Barker was 69 years old. <br/><br/>Current House Speaker Todd Hiett says he has talked to Barker's wife,

Monday, April 25th 2005, 11:08 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Former state House Speaker Jim Barker died Monday after suffering a stroke. Barker was 69 years old.

Current House Speaker Todd Hiett says he has talked to Barker's wife, Kay. She says the former Democratic speaker was stricken during lunch Sunday after attending church services.

Hiett says Barker has been a good friend and has shown himself over and over again as a strong leader and a man of integrity. Hiett says Barker will be missed.