J. Barry Barker

I met Barry back when I started practicing law and disability advocacy. He was very receptive to the concerns of the disability community and treated us as if we were part of the community at large. Barry had budget limitations and regulatory limitations that prevented him from providing the complete access to paratransit and fixed route buses to which he thought we were entitled. He did the best that he could and attempted to make the system as accessible as it could be. He made the fixed route bus line fully accessible for individuals with disabilities, including those who utilized wheelchairs. The paratransit ended up being used for individuals who could not necessarily ride the fixed route buses.

Barry had insight and was a visionary. He brought, at first, hybrid buses, and, later, fully electric buses to the TARC bus system. During Barry's tenure, TARC had the largest electric powered bus system east of the Mississippi River. TARC was fully funded, and well-run, operating at full speed during his tenure. But for budgetary limitations, politics, and diminutive use of the mass transit system in our area, TARC might still be as strong as it was when Barry was at the helm.

Barry loved the Louisville community, he loved his family, and he always had a smile on his face. He was very pleasant and had a very quick sense of humor. He believed in honor and appreciated other people in the community that had the passion for public service that he exemplified. Barry had many adoring friends, colleagues and other professionals because of his personality and friendliness. His presence around us enriched us all. Barry Barker Boulevard, outside TARC, will continue forward with his name and in his honor.

The news of Barry's passing saddens me greatly. My sadness is reprieved with the belief that Barry has moved on to a better place where transportation moves at light speed. Barry is likely looking to make it better like he did here on earth and is approaching the Leadership in Heaven with ideas. My thoughts and prayers go out to Barry's many friends, family and loved ones. May God bless you and heal you in this time of loss.

Chuck Rogers
TARC Board Member August 2012-August 2021

I´m deeply saddened to hear of Barry´s passing. He was a dear friend and colleague in the transit industry for more than 40 years. My heart is heavy and I´m sending prayers and condolences to his family, loved ones and many, many friends. RIP, Gotti.

I met J Barker in 1993 He was a kind person. We became friends and he will be missed.
From the retired pastor of the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church Louisville Ky.
Rev Alex C Shanklin

I met Barry at the ADA meetings at TARC bus,,, after having seizures,,, I started my nonprofit SEIGE,,, after having a Complex Seizure on the bus ,, I met with Barry and the board,,, Barry approved we train TARC on training how to handle,, seizures,,, we did this for 25 yrs,, Barry and I communicated on many other items besides Epilepsy,, he had the best communication and personality... he was always a good joker and down to earth.
He was the THE reason TARC is so big and Beautiful!! He never got the best respect when he retired...So many drivers and people in the
community miss him!
Now we really will ,,, let´s put him on a building and name street after street,
Barry Barker!! The founder of TARC!!

I met Barry at the Triangle X ranch in 2018, and was always so pleased when our days at the ranch crossed over and he appeared on the porch of his cabin in the evening. I loved his quick, self-deprecating sense of humor, and am so happy to see that he was so widely loved, appreciated, and admired in his regular life away from Wyoming. I will miss him in the corral and at meals, and most after dinner when we would hang around and play games. He overcame health challenges in more recent years quietly and without fanfare, adjusting without complaint to limitations while still getting the essence of the special ranch experience. I´m sorry you´ve lost someone so well-loved and intelligent and kind, and wish you the peace of good memories this holiday season.