Multiple veterans groups in Delaware are asking the general public to attend a funeral service for a Korean War veteran who died in late January.

Allister Barker, 94, served four years in the U.S. Army, including a stint in Korea, after immigrating to the U.S. from Trinidad. His nearest family lives in Georgia and will be unable to attend the service.

The "unaccompanied" funeral will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery near Glasgow.

The Delaware National Guard will be among the organizations in attendance to help honor Barker. Public Affairs Officer Bernie Kale said unaccompanied funerals have grown more common due in part to social media, which enables quicker communication between funeral homes, military organizations and the public.

The Guard, the Wilmington Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Delaware's branch of the American Legion were among the organizations posting about the service online Wednesday.

"They sacrificed their lives, their time," Kale said. "The least we can do is come and pay our respects."

According to his obituary, Barker was born in San Fernando, Trinidad, part of the West Indies north of Venezuela. He immigrated to the U.S. at age 22. Three years later, he was in Korea as part of the U.S. infantry.

After an honorable discharge in 1953, he returned to New York but shortly after moved to Philadelphia, where he operated a vehicle collision shop. After retiring he moved to Bear, where he lived until his death.

In 2012, Barker was pictured in a News Journal article planting American flags at gravesites at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery as part of a Memorial Day ceremony.

According to his obituary, Barker often bought thrift items at Goodwill and gave them away to people in need in Philadelphia.

"He was a giving soul," his obituary reads.

Contact Brandon Holveck at bholveck@delawareonline.com or at (302) 324-2267. Follow on Twitter @holveck_brandon.