- Date Of Birth: May 18, 1956
- Date Of Death: January 5, 2020
- State: Indiana
The new decade was ushered in with one less kind soul. James R. “Jimmy” Barber passed away of heart failure at his home in early January. With his passing, it frees us to remember him in a positive light, for all the good he did in his life which was cut far too short at the age of 63.
Jim had a colorful, productive, and interesting life that he lived in his own way, on his own terms. His passions bordered on obsession and his talents were numerous. Jim ran thousands of miles including multiple marathons; New York, Chicago, Louisville, and the coveted Boston to name a few. His lifelong love of music, beginning when he purchased his first “45” at a young age, continued until the day he died. He could answer any question about a musician or band, and he cried the day Jerry Garcia died.
His beloved Grateful Dead were listened to every day (as those who lived with him can attest). When his children were old enough to engage in sports, Jim became a coach. From the time his daughter, Molly, was four years old, he began coaching t-ball which led to coaches-pitch, into softball, then baseball and basketball with his son, Jay. He even tried to coach tennis from the bleachers. He touched many young lives through coaching. Children were drawn to his caring, kind, and fun-loving spirit. Jim was a graduate of Indiana University majoring in Business/Entrepreneurship. He served Barber Manufacturing Company as Executive Vice President for over 30 years where he developed numerous product and design patents improving the comfort of their seating. He also developed friendships all over the world through his travels in sales. He was born the second son of John W. Barber, Jr. and Ann M. Bireley on May 18, 1956.
Jim is survived by his siblings Jeff Barber (Susan Edwards), Tommy Barber, sister Betsy Lackey (Blake), and his former spouse and mother of his children, Claire Boone-Barber. He felt his two children, Molly Shreve (Brent) and Jay Barber, both of whom he was so proud, were his greatest accomplishments. His first grandchild, baby-boy Shreve, is due in June. His close circle of friends meant the world to him, but one in particular who never failed him, Craig “Pops” Campbell, was most dear. We write this as a collective unit. To some of us he was Jim, to many he was Jimmy, and to two of us, he was Dad.
Our final wish from those who loved him the most and knew him the best is that as he entered the Pearly Gates, he was handed a welcome bag containing a comfortable pair of running shoes and a shiny new hair dryer! Farewell JRB.
