Home » Santa Clarita News » Santa Clarita Resident, Harley-Davidson Dealer Dies At 82

Santa Clarita Resident, Harley-Davidson Dealer Dies At 82

A Santa Clarita resident and Canoga Park Harley-Davidson dealer for nearly 40 years unexpectedly died at the age of 82 years old at his home in Canyon Country earlier this month. His funeral services were held Sunday.


Sponsored Articles


Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking Santa Clarita news alerts delivered right to your inbox.

Gene Barger was president of Barger Harley-Davidson in Canoga Park and died on Oct. 7. He is survived by his long-time girlfriend, Gitte Pedersen, his brother and sister in law Rodney and Alanna, his nieces and nephews, Lori Johnson. Barger is predeceased by his parents Glenn E. Poffinbarger and Helen Scherer Poffinbarger, and by his brother Robert L. Poffinbarger.

Barger was born in Florence, Kansas on May 17, 1932. He attended Bakersfield High School and graduated from Bakersfield College.  Soon after graduation, he joined the Santa fe Railways as a firemen, shoveling coals into the steam engines.  His passion for the railroad and steam engine locomotives kept him with the Santa Fe Railway for seven years.  Gene was determined to pave his own path in life and realized the greater potential for success in Los Angeles.  He packed his bags and headed for L.A.

Barger’s first job was a door-to-door salesperson and he soon realized his future potential in sales.  In the mid 70’s when the opportunity presenting itself, Gene bought his first motorcycle dealership in Sherman Oaks, “Sherman Oaks Honda Triumph.

In 1977, Barger expanded his business when jointly he and Loretta Barger Hanson founded Barger Harley-Davidson, Inc. Barger Harley-Davidson is located the Canoga Park area of Los Angeles and is one of the longest-serving authorized Harley-Davidson dealerships in L.A. county. Barger was passionate about the Harley-Davidson brand and had been a member of the Harley-Davidson Dealership Advisory Committee.

Barger  was a respected and devoted business man and loving committed partner. His variety of interests included motorcycle riding, flying his Piper airplane, and building and flying remote controlled airplanes.

Among the proudest moments of his life was when he obtained his FAA-pilot license, bought his own Piper airplane and flew it across the country. On the day Gene passed away, he was on his computer researching the perfect radio-controlled Drone with video camera equipment to buy. He truly enjoyed life and his hobbies to the fullest until his sudden last breath.

Although still actively involved in the day-to-day operation of Barger Harley-Davidson, Gene loved to spend time in his beautiful home and garden where he lived and enjoyed a quiet life with his companion and their two beloved dogs. Gene was a history buff with particular interest in both the First and Second World War. He was an amateur alto saxophone player who spent hours practicing his music. Most of all, Gene was loved and respected by all who will miss his handsome smile, his great sense of humor and laughter.

Barger will be laid to rest in a beautiful and tranquil spot overlooking lavenders, roses and the rolling hills of Placerita Canyon in Santa Clarita.

His final resting place is appropriately named Court of Love. The crypt number of his mausoleum is part of the FAA ID of his Piper airplane 8251-E

A Service to celebrate Gene’s amazing life was held Sunday, Oct. 26 at Eternal Valley Memorial Park and Mortuary.

Barger’s Last Ride on the Open Road took place prior to his Service on Sunday.

Barger’s extended family at Barger Harley-Davidson and he Westside HOG Chapter has planned a Memorial Ride in Gene’s honor.

Barger’s body joined the Memorial ride in a Harley-Davidson hearse that will bring him from his legendary business, Barger Harley-Davidson to his service at Eternal Valley Memorial Park.

Following the service, Barger’s body continued on the last stretch of his Last Ride to his final resting place at his mausoleum, Court of Love at Eternal Valley Memorial Park.

A final prayer and release of white doves took place at the ceremony.

Photo and story courtesy of the Gene Barger memorial page on the Eternal Valley Memorial and Mortuary website.

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.

KHTS AM 1220 - Santa Clarita Radio

Santa Clarita Resident, Harley-Davidson Dealer Dies At 82

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About KHTS Newsroom

KHTS FM 98.1 & AM 1220 focuses on Santa Clarita news, traffic, weather, sports, and also plays music. Bringing you SCV breaking news first and keeping you up to date with Santa Clarita events.