James E. Barkley

Jim was the only son of James E. Barkley, Sr. and Edna Kennedy Barkley. Jim graduated from Uhrichsville High School and was an active member of the Class of ‘42 his entire life. In 1943, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country during WW II in Europe and Asia. In September 1943, while training at Camp Cooke near Los Angeles, he was given duties in an Army pharmacy. He wrote his mother, “It is giving me some good experience and I might use it after the war.” Upon his return, he obtained a degree in Pharmacy from the Ohio State University and in 1951 began a 35-year career as a pharmaceutical salesman with Burroughs Wellcome.

He was transferred to Houston and in 1961 met Anna Fae Harris on a blind date. They were married just four months later on the 20th of August 1961. In 1962, Jim’s job took the couple to the Washington, DC area for five years, where their son, James H. “Jimmy” Barkley, was born. They returned to Houston in 1967 and remained best friends and sweethearts until Anna’s death on the 3rd of August 2011, just 17 days shy of their 50th anniversary. For the last two years of her life, he sat faithfully by her bed every day in hospitals, rehab centers, and nursing homes. He will be so glad to see her again.

A faithful member, teacher, deacon, and historian at South Main Baptist Church, Jim lived a life of humble Christian service, always willing to do his part without ever needing the spotlight. He was an assistant coach for little league, an assistant scout master, a chaperone on school outings, and a faithful church usher and Sunday School teacher. He spent hours each week carefully preparing bible study lessons. He enjoyed taking his family camping, hiking, fishing, and canoeing. He was a traveling salesman who never seemed to be gone when something was happening in the life of his wife or son. In retirement, he took great delight in his grandchildren, Drew and Kate. He was an accomplished amateur photographer, a tireless genealogist, and a teller of truly awful jokes. He loved planning trips almost as much as he enjoyed taking them, and he enjoyed the company of friends and strangers alike. A trip to the Holy Land at age 88 was a highlight of his life.

Jim is survived by his son Jim Barkley, his wife Jan, and their children Drew and Kate. The family wishes to extend their deep appreciation to the incredible hospice staff of Memorial Hermann Southwest for their loving and compassionate care of Jim in his final weeks.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from half-past four o’clock in the afternoon until half-past six o’clock in the evening, on Friday, the 28th of March in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service is to be conducted at three o’clock in the afternoon, on Saturday, the 29th of March in the Sanctuary of South Main Baptist Church, 4100 Main Street in Houston, where Dr. Steve Wells, Pastor is to officiate.

Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to South Main Baptist Church, 4100 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002.