James BARBAREE

BARBAREE, James Martin James Martin Barbaree Ph.D. passed away March 27, 2017 at the age of 76. The family will be receiving visitors at Gray's Funeral Home in Union Springs, AL from 4:00 to 6:00 on Wednesday March 29, 2017. Visitation will also be held in Auburn, AL at 1:00 on March 30, 2017 at Auburn United Methodist Church preceding the funeral service beginning at 2:00 with Dr. Cory Smith and Dr. George Mathison officiating. The interment will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Union Springs, AL with Gray Funeral Home directing. Dr. Barbaree is survived by his loving wife Mary Loyd Barbaree, his son Loyd Barbaree, his daughter Neoma Sayres and her husband Rusty Sayres, sister Sue Cooper, her husband Jimmy Cooper, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved son Jason Barbaree, sister Sara Barbaree, mother Frances Inez Barbaree, and father James Baker Barbaree. Jim was born and raised in Union Springs, AL where he met his sweetheart Mary Loyd Mooneyham. Jim earned a football scholarship to the University of Southern Mississippi where Mary Loyd also attended. It was also at this time that Jim joined the Army. He played in the 'end' position on the winning 1962 National Small College Championship football team of the University of Southern Mississippi where he also earned his Masters degree. Jim then married his childhood sweetheart. He was stationed in El Paso, TX, where his first son Loyd was born. He was then stationed in Pensacola, FL where their second son Jason was born. After moving and acquiring his doctorate at the University of Georgia he then pursued a career and was promoted to Captain in the Public Health Service at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, GA. Their third child, a daughter Neoma was born and completed their family. Dr. Barbaree retired from a distinguished career at the Centers for Disease Control as a microbiologist specializing in Legionnaires disease and a pioneer in the development of microbial freeze drying technology. He then joined the Auburn family as a professor of microbiology at Auburn University, where he and Mary Loyd made life long friends and great memories. James Barbaree was a loving husband, fantastic father, patriot, tireless career professional, and sports enthusiast. He will be missed and loved.