Jim has said, “I’ve fought illnesses and struggled. But I’ve also been healthy, had accomplishments, lived raucous adventures, and lived my life with humor. I have a deep sense of wonder, seen through the lens of a camera, a fingerprint in clay or the stroke of a brush on canvas.”
Jim was born Dec. 18, 1939, in Tulare, CA, the fourth child born to JD Barber and Maggie L. Pennington. He grew up in Reedley, CA. Jim survived childhood polio and played high school football. He graduated from Reedley High School and Fresno State College - the first college graduate in our family. Jim served in the US Army in S. Korea. He worked at a Napa, CA, winery for a year and then taught high school fine arts and math for 37 years in the East Bay Area. Jim supported various charities with his donated time and/or financial donations.
Jim was also an artist. He drew, painted, worked with clay, made jewelry and was an avid photographer. He loved taking photos at Monterey, Mt. Diablo and Heather Farms Park. He loved computers. In younger years, Jim enjoyed camping and fishing with his father.
As a teenager, Jim worked at the family drive-in on the King’s River in Reedley. He helped care for his mother for many years after her Parkinson’s diagnosis. After his father had a stroke, Jim managed his nursing home care for 17 years and his probate for 3 years.
Jim traveled to Switzerland, Mexico and many US states. Many of his US trips included visiting family in OK, TX, AZ, MD and CA’s Central Valley.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, 1 sister and 1 niece. Survivors include 4 nieces and their descendants. Four of his five nieces also became teachers.
Jim’s family thanks his caregivers, Dr. Zoltan Mari and his team at Cleveland Clinic-Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, and Nathan Adelson Hospice. Jim lived his later years at home, as he wished, because of their expertise and devoted, kind care.
Jim will be buried in Visalia, CA, after a private graveside service. Jim wished any donations be made to Cleveland Clinic-Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas, or The Michael J. Fox Foundation, or The Wounded Warrior Project, or National or State Parks of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.millerchapel.com for the Barber family.
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