The Heroes in Disguise 5K Will Recognize Emilee and All Who Give the Gift of Life

Emilee France Barker, daughter of Gary and Christine France, radiated passion and kindness throughout her life. From the moment she began dancing at age eight, her talent and dedication shone brightly. She competed in dance throughout her youth and attended Tuacahn High School, where she thrived as a dancer and discovered her love for choreography.

Emilee pursued dual college degrees at UNLV in Dance and Stage Management. She was just weeks away from graduating when her life was tragically cut short in a car accident in February 2024, shortly before her twenty-fourth birthday.

A faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Emilee served a mission in Ohio, dedicating herself to uplifting others. She also served the Utah and Nevada communities by contributing many hours to humanitarian and youth programs.

Emilee expressed her creativity through video and music editing and was pursuing a budding modeling career. She was a loving and joyful inspiration to her sister Raye and her two brothers, Joshua and Samuel, who both have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

In May 2023, Emilee married her soulmate, Chris Barker, in the Las Vegas LDS Temple. Together, they embraced life’s adventures. Their shared joy for life and love for each other brought them countless cherished moments.

While her passing was untimely, Emilee’s legacy endures. As a registered organ donor, she gave the ultimate gift of life, donating her lungs, kidneys, liver, heart, skin, bone, corneas, and other tissue, saving lives and improving countless others. Her selflessness and true heroism continue to inspire all who learn of her story. Generations of people will bless her name for saving their mother, grandfather, great-grandmother, and others.

Organ donation and transplantation are facilitated by DonorConnect in Utah. The promise of DonorConnect is expressed in their mission statement: "In our constant pursuit of excellence, we give hope and heal lives through organ, tissue, and eye donation."

Heroes in Disguise 5K Fun Run

Date: Saturday, April 12th

Registration time: 8:00 a.m.

Start time: 9:00 a.m.

After race program: 10:30 a.m.

Location: Crosby Family Confluence Park

2099 South Convention Center Drive

St. George, Utah

To honor donors like Emilee, DonorConnect will host the Heroes in Disguise 5K Fun Run on April 12th, 2025, at Crosby Confluence Park in St. George. The event promotes organ donation awareness, raises funds to educate high school students about the miracle of organ donation, and celebrates the medical professionals and families who make these miracles possible. Intermountain Health is a major sponsor, alongside other local businesses and the families of organ recipients. After the 5K, participants can enjoy a short program and prize giveaways. Please use the QR code provided for registration information.

Emilee’s light continues to shine in the hearts of those who knew her. While she may no longer dance on earth, her kindness and love allow others to live fully and embrace life’s possibilities. Through her extraordinary acts of love and service, Emilee France Barker’s legacy will inspire generations to come.

To be included in Utah’s organ/tissue/eye donation registry, please sign up at YesUtah.org.