James Douglas Barker

Jim graduated from Lebanon High School in 1962 and joined the U. S. Navy after his graduation. He served in the United States Navy in the Heavy Photographic Squadron 62 and earned the rank of PH3 (E-4). On active duty from 1962 to 1965, one of the highlights of his time in the Navy was taking photos from an aircraft during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was honorably discharged.

Jim attended Miami University of Middletown from 1969 to 1972. He made the dean’s list several times for his outstanding grades and earned a Leadership Service Award. He transferred to Wright State in 1973 and graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, Jim worked for NCR in Dayton as a manufacturing chemist. The business changed hands several times, but he remained and continued to faithfully perform his job. Eventually, he transferred to Vandalia, Ohio and was promoted to Job Supervisor with EurAnd America, retiring in 1997. After graduating from college, he also had a part-time job at Sears.

Jim spent a great deal of time in the 70’s and 80’s serving at Ridgeville Community Church and Ridgeville Christian School. He taught Sunday school and ushered at the church. He helped develop photos for the yearbook, served on the school board, worked at many of the school’s fundraisers from the Honey Bee Festival taco salad booth to the Christmas Bazaar, the bike-a-thon and the pancake breakfasts. He was loved by all the kids to whom he taught Sunday School. He often made homemade pizza with his class and took them to Americana amusement park.

Jim was known for his cooking and baking skills, his great wealth of knowledge and his goofy sense of humor. He was an avid reader and a deep-thinker. He was hard-working and generous and funny. He loved gardening and traveling. He enjoyed history and geography. One of Jim’s favorite things to do was to educate others by asking trivia questions. You couldn’t help but learn a lot if you spent time with him. He loved to play games and host parties and he was an excellent host.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Ben and Eula Barker, his ex-wife Barbara Barker and his grandson, Kyle Barker. He is survived by his children: Jeffrey Barker (Katie Moore) and Naomi DeTample (Jeremy); grandchildren: Ceara Barker, Conor Barker, Allison Moore, Danielle Huber and Kaitlin Bachtel; great-grandchildren: Rylee Montgomery, John Carter Mhanna and Lily Blankenship; sisters and brothers: Benetta Johnston, Mike Barker (Millie), sister Brenda King (Richard), Tom (Michelle) Barker, Liz (Randy) Herrick, Rachel Bivens; and several nephews and nieces.

Services will be held at Grace Baptist Church in Middletown on Saturday, November 13, 2021. Visitation is from 1pm–2pm. The service is immediately following. Interment will be at Grace Baptist Cemetery with military honors following the service.