Jeter Andrew Barker

Jeter Andrew "Andy" Barker Jr. (July 4, 1924 – July 11, 2011) was a philanthropist and the creator, founder, and mayor of the cowboy themed town of Love Valley, North Carolina in Iredell County, North Carolina.

Early life

Andy Barker was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina on July 4, 1924. As a child growing up in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Andy wanted to be a cowboy. His teachers told him that there were no cowboy towns in North Carolina. When he was older, he and his father (Jeter Andrew Barker, I) ran a lucrative construction company, JA Construction, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was a military veteran of the Army Corps of Engineers in World War II. He attempted to run for governor of North Carolina on two occasions (1976 and 1984) and for the Senate once.

Love Valley

His wife Ellenora Spratt Barker, daughter Tonda (age six), and son Jeter Andrew "Jet" Barker III (age two) moved to a little one-room shack in North Iredell County in April 1954. There, he fulfilled his childhood dream when he built and founded the town of Love Valley, North Carolina in 1954 as a cowboy themed town. Love Valley was incorporated in 1963. In 1970, Love Valley had a rock festival in which the Allman Brothers Band In the late 90's, the Love Valley Horseman's Association and Love Valley Mule Association were formed. These associations are responsible for many of the events that take place in Love Valley.

Death

At the time of his death on July 11, 20111, Andy was mayor of Love Valley for all but six of the town's 48 years of incorporation. His father of the same name (went by A.J. Barker) was Love Valley's first mayor. Two other men had one-term stints as the top elected official during periods when Andy was retired. Andy was one of the longest serving mayors in the United States. Andy and his wife, who died in 2018, were buried at the Love Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery, which he built in Love Valley as the first structure in towns.

Honors

Andy received several awards:

• Cowboy Hall of Fame
• Southeastern Rodeo Hall of Fame
• Marquis Who's Who of America
• Mayors Hall of Fame, 1994