James "Jim" Barker

James “Jim” C. Barker, 71, of Duluth, died Wednesday, May 6, 2020. Jim was born November 17, 1948 in Duluth to Lydia (Whiteside) and Jay Barker. He graduated from Denfeld High School. He was one of the first males accepted into the College of Saint Scholastica, then graduated from UMD with a Bachelor’s Degree in history, civics, and geography. Jim was a Vietnam Veteran who bravely battled symptoms of Agent Orange. Jimmy was a very talented artist who enjoyed painting and making stained glass pieces. If he wasn’t in the basement creating, he was reading a book or in the garden and taking care of local wildlife. Where ever Jimmy went, life grew. He enjoyed playing with his grandchildren, his “Plane” and “Apple”, singing them songs, teaching them to garden, pulling them in the wagon. He also enjoyed putting on some “oldies” and dancing with the love of his life, Mary Jo. Together they spent summers fishing on Lake Vermillion with his sister Jane and friends. He is survived by his sister, Jane (David) Mavec; niece, Sara (James Wanta) of NYC; nephew, Joe Mavec of Hermantown; his partner of 16 years, Mary Jo Booth and her daughters, Mandy and Lacey Stanius; grandchildren, Holden and Adelei, along with many cousins and friends. Graveside services with family will be held at Oneota Cemetery. Military honors accorded by the Duluth Honor Guard. Arrangements by Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home.