James E Barker, age 67, Grand Forks, formerly of Sarles and Rock Lake, ND, died on Thursday, February 5, 2009 at Valley Eldercare in Grand Forks where he had been a resident for many years. 

Jim was born on February 22, 1941 in Rolla, ND to Lloyd and Esther Barker.   He was a

baptized and confirmed member of the Sarles Lutheran  Church and later a member of All Nations Lutheran Church of Rock  Lake.  Jim graduated from Sarles High School in 1959 where he was  an outstanding student and athlete.  Jim represented his school at Boys State in 1958.  He worked on the family farm while growing up and later, while in college, he spent several summers on the harvest run from Oklahoma to North Dakota.  He attended UND from 1959 - 1963 where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Education degree.  Jim also earned a Master of Education degree from UND in 1968.  He was an active member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity at UND.  He began his teaching and coaching career in 1963 at Egeland, ND.  Later he taught and served as school principal in Rock Lake and Rolla, ND.  He was active in community events while living in Rock Lake.

In addition to teaching, Jim farmed east of Rock Lake for many years until ill health forced his retirement.   He was a member of the North Dakota National Guard and served on active duty in 1967 until being honorably discharged with a  disability.  Jim was an avid football and basketball fan and spent many weekends watching UND play.  On July 9, 1966, he married Linda Heller in Rock Lake.  They had two children, Holly in 1969 and Gregory in 1972.  Greg passed away in 2003. 

Jim is survived by his  daughter, Holly (Bruce) Cahill, Rolla, ND; 3 grandchildren, Ally,  Nicholas and Brody Cahill; brothers Duane (Norma) of Apache  Junction, AZ Larry (Maureen) of Grand Forks and brother in law Leonard Lien of Devils Lake.  Jim is also survived by several nieces and nephews that he loved very much.  Jim valued his family above all else, especially his mother.  His family and friends knew him as a warm, loving and generous man. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Gregory and sister Carol Jean Lien. 

A memorial service will be held in the spring.  Burial will be in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Cando, North Dakota.

MEMORIAL SERVICE- will be held at the Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home in Cando, ND on Sunday, June 14, 2009 at 1:30 pm with burial following at the IOOF Cemetery of Cando, ND.