Joseph J. Barta

Joseph Jenkins Barta, 54, a public relations and marketing consultant, lost his fight with multiple health issues on Jan. 14, succumbing to complications from Covid-19 and pneumonia. Son of Carolyn Jenkins Barta and the late Joseph L. Barta, he was born in Dallas and, as a child, known as Joey, attended the Saint Michael School and graduated from Hillcrest High School. Later known as Jay, he earned a bachelor's degree in journalism/ communications from Texas State University in San Marcos and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Jay was a corporate communications professional for 20-plus years, including 15 years in the telecom/IT industry for Nortel, Avaya and Infosys, working in various positions as a manager in global and North American communications and public relations. While at Nortel, he spent a year in the U.K. and France with global responsibility for wireless division PR. His early career years were at E. Bruce Harrison Company/ Southwest and Levenson Public Relations. In 2014, he became a solo practitioner, founding Jay Barta Communications. He also relished working as a statistician on the press box stat crew for Dallas Cowboys home games.

He enjoyed serving as president of M-Streets Condominium Homeowner Association. He traveled extensively in Europe and Southeast Asia. He loved to gourmet cook, particularly crawfish and shrimp boils for friends; create new recipes as "Chef Jay-Ar-Dee;" fly fish, deep sea fish, and play the guitar and dominoes. He also enjoyed camping, utilizing skills learned as a Boy Scout, and skiing.

Jay was a loving son and brother, who loved life and his friends. He is survived by his mother, Carolyn Barta of Dallas; brother Patrick Barta and wife Salisa of Bangkok and niece Raya; Aunt Sharon and Bill Benge, Fort Worth; Aunt Rose and Carl Siebs, Dallas; cousins Katie and Greg Ave, Dallas; Jonna Barta and Pat Cargo, Dallas; Anthony and Christi Barta, Sachse; Mary Cass, Scottsdale; Larry Siebs, Chicago; Steve Siebs, Naples, Fla.; Barrett Karr, Castleton, Va.; Bret Benge, Lubbock; Brook and Laura Benge, Kansas City, Mo.

Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. April 14 in the chapel at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. Donations may be made to Saint Michael and All Angels or a charity of choice.