Krail B. Barker was born June 20, 1930, on the family farm near Rock Lake, ND, to Job and Annie (Potratz) Barker. He was raised in that area where he received his education. In the fall of 1949, Krail enlisted in the US Army, and served in Okinawa, Japan. After his discharge from the Army, Krail came to Fargo, ND, and worked a short time for the Fargo Fire Department.