JAMES H. BARKER

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JAMES H. BARKER James Barker, of Dauphin, MB passed away peacefully at his residence on Sunday, September 11, 2005 at the age of 75 years. James was born on February 5, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois, son of Cecil H. Barker, born in Dauphin, MB and Mabel B. Barker (nee Caldwell), born in Elkhorn, MB. James (Jim) served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1947 to 1949, discharged as a Corporal. He came to Canada and joined the RCAF in 1951 as a pilot trainee. He served with the rank of Flying Officer as a flying instructor at Claresholm, AB and as an interceptor pilot on 425 and 416 (AWF) squadrons operating CF 100 aircraft out of St. Hubert, QC. In 1958 he transferred to the RCN with the rank of Lieutenant (P) and qualified as a carrier pilot on HMCS Bonaventure. He joined VF 870 squadron, operating F2H3 Banshee jet fighters from HCMS Bonaventure. In 1962 he was retired from the RCN with a physical disability that ended his flying career. He went back to school and was awarded an associate Degree in Electronic Engineering in 1965. He immediately went to work for Johnson Controls Inc. and its' various international subsidiaries. For the next 20 years he was the project manager for his company on large international construction projects in Canada, U.S.A., Australia, Hong Kong and England. He retired in 1985 and after a few years in Europe he moved to Dauphin in 1990. While living in Dauphin he was elected to a term on the Town Council. He was prominent in the Reform Party of Canada, serving on both the constituency and national board of directors of the party. In 2000 he moved to Florida, but returned to Dauphin in March, 2005. James is survived by one older brother William and his wife Phyllis of Chicago, Illinois. Immediate cremation has taken place and the ashes have been shipped to Halifax, NS for interment at sea by the Canadian Navy. The Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Service, Dauphin, MB in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 14, 2005