James "Buddy" Barker Jr.

James "Buddy" Barker, Jr., 68, was born February 24th, 1956, and passed away on October 14th, 2024 at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. He was the husband of Alice Barker. They shared 47 years of marriage together.
Buddy was born in El Paso, Texas on February 24th, 1956 to James and Elizabeth Barker. The family moved to several locations before settling down in Corning, Iowa. While growing up there on the family farm, he did his chores such as feeding and milking the cows, feeding the pigs, cleaning the pig pens, bailing, bucking hay, plowing crops in the field, as well as helping his dad with the family plumbing business. In his spare time, he enjoyed riding horses and showing them and other animals at the County Fair. He proudly took home championship ribbons for his animals. He was definitely a very busy guy!
Buddy was known for his love of God, his family, and his country. God blessed Buddy with the gift of singing starting at a very early age. As a child, one of the first songs he sang at church was "Jesus Loves Me" giving it his own ending as only he could do. "... little ones to Him belong, they are weak "Buddy" is strong." He sang in the high school choir and National Chorus, singing to President Ford and shaking the president's hand. He went on to study at SW Community College in Creston, Iowa with a scholarship for singing, where he sang in numerous competitions. Buddy led music at several churches including being the music director and choir director at the Chula Vista Bible Baptist Church in Chula Vista, California from 1992 to 2008. He also sang in a Gospel Trio singing on numerous occasions at different churches in Southern California, as well as singing in Tucson, Arizona and Branson, Missouri.
Buddy met Alice, the love of his life, at the very young age of 19 years old. They met in Meridian, Mississippi while going to a Navy Training School. On the first day of class, Buddy showed up with a black eye and stitches. When the instructor asked him what happened, he pointed at Alice and said "she hit me." Alice had not even met him yet. Upon completing their training, Buddy and Alice got orders to separate Navy bases. Ultimately, as part of God's plan, they were reunited about 15 months later. As it happened, for Christmas 1976, Alice sent out Christmas cards to people in her address book. She came across the name "Buddy Barker", remembering Buddy from Meridian, Mississippi she sent him a card, too. She then went to Washington to visit her family for the holidays. While she was on leave, Buddy figured out how to reach her office at the Navy base in El Centro, California. He thought it would be a good idea to call them "every day" to see if Alice was back yet. They told him "every day" when she was due back from leave, and to "please stop calling." He told them, "Maybe she'll come back early, talk to you tomorrow."
So, when Alice did return, they asked her "Do you know Buddy Barker?" She said "Yes," and that's when they said, "Call him, he's driving us crazy!!!" She smiled and called him. Buddy proposed to Alice on Valentine's Day of 1977, and they were married June 4th, 1977.
Buddy was without a doubt a devoted family man. He loved his wife unconditionally, to the moon and back. He loved and respected his grandparents & parents. He loved his brother Dale Leroy Barker and his sisters Joane Elizabeth Hallinan (Barker) and Mary Anne Shaw (Barker). God blessed Buddy and Alice with a son, Timothy James Barker in 1978; and a second son, Daniel Allen Barker in 1981. There was never a dull moment watching the two of those boys growing up. From infancy, adolescence, to adulthood with children of their own. Buddy was a good dad. He instilled the importance of family values, being kind, and loving each other, as well as the importance of having a good work ethic and the love of God. Buddy was their biggest advocate regardless of the situation. He was their soccer coach, leading and coaching them at practice, during their games, and cheering them on. He was a very proud dad, so very proud of both of them. He also loved his daughter-in-laws, Monika and Tiffany. The women that Tim and Danny asked to be their wives, and the mother of their children and Buddy & Alice's grandchildren. Buddy was a very proud Papa, too. He loved all 7 of his grandkids with all his heart. Buddy's favorite saying was "Grandkids are God's blessings to us while we're here on this earth." He wholeheartedly believed that to be true.
Buddy served in the United States Navy for a total of 14 years. He was stationed aboard multiple ships, most of which were homeported in the San Diego, California area. In addition to being on board ships, he was also stationed at several shore duty bases including bootcamp in Great Lakes, Illinois, Navy Training School at NAS Meridian, Mississippi, Iceland, MCAS Yuma, and Naval Station San Diego, California. Buddy's last ship was an aircraft carrier stationed at NAS North Island, California. He went on one last deployment while assigned to that ship. While he was proud to serve his country, soon after his final deployment, he got out of the Navy. Moving ahead, he was looking forward to spending more time with his family.
It was an amazing 47 years with a lot of ups and downs, laughing and crying, great times, good times, and sometimes not so good times. Through all those times though, they never gave up on each other.
Buddy is survived by his father James Barker, wife Alice Barker, son Timothy & wife Monika and children Alyah, Amber, James, Eddy & Bobby, Danny & wife Tiffany and children Dylan & Tayla. He is also survived by his brother Dale & wife CJ, Sister Joane & husband Bill Hallinan, and sister Mary Anne Shaw. He is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother Elizabeth Barker.
There will be a celebration of life service for Buddy on Saturday, November 30th, 2024 at 2:00pm. The services will be held at Desert Springs Baptist Church located at 10425 N. Thornydale Road, Tucson, AZ 85742. There will be a gathering with food in the fellowship hall immediately following the services.
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