James Edward Barker passed on to his Heavenly Home on November 30, 2025. He was born January 29, 1937, in Caddo, Oklahoma to Ruby and Clifton (Pete) Barker. James graduated from Caddo High School where he was a four-year letterman for the Caddo Cubs basketball team. He was awarded a scholarship to Lon Morris College, where he met his future wife, Barbara.

James was then awarded another basketball scholarship to East Texas State University, now Texas A & M at Commerce. In 1956 James and Barbara both transferred to ETSU. There the varsity basketball teams of 1957 and 1958 were Lone Star conference champions. After graduation from ETSU, James and Barbara married at the First Methodist Church in Henderson, Texas on May 29, 1958.

They began their teaching careers in Devine, Texas. By the time they moved to the Pasadena, Texas area in 1963, they had 2 young boys, Bobby and Mark. James (by now "Jim") coached football and basketball and taught at Sam Rayburn High School for 14 years. In 1970, he earned a Master's Degree in Education at Sam Houston State University. After his life as a coach, he was a Vocational Coordinator at South Houston High School. He retired in 1993, after 30 years of service in PISD.

In 1999, Jim was elected to the Pasadena City Council and served 4 terms for a total of 8 years, serving as Mayor Pro Tem during the 2003-2004 term. Jim was a member of Sagemont Church and he has been active in the community during the years. He was a 19-year member of the Pasadena Noon Optimist Club, served on the Local Salvation Army Advisory Board, and was a member of the Pasadena Area Retired School Employees. Jim's favorite hobbies were hunting, fishing and golfing with his friends.

He will be remembered as a kind, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Barbara; sons Robert and Mark; grandchildren Holly Barker, Ashley Syphrett and husband Alexander, Heather Barker, Mark Alan Barker and wife, Allie; great-grandchildren Harper Houston and Oliver Syphrett; Sisters Lucille Shans and Patricia Barker, brother and sister in-law James and Sandra Patrick and numerous nieces and nephews.

The service will be held at Peevey Funeral Home, Thursday, December 4, at 10:00am with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be private.