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Visitation
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Fry-Bross & Spidle Funeral Home
Kearney, MO
6-7:30 p.m.
Memorial Service
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Fry-Bross & Spidle Funeral Home
Kearney, MO
10 a.m.
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James R. "Jim" Barger
July 25, 1940 - January 1, 2015
James R. "Jim" Barger, 74, Kearney, passed away January 1, 2015, from complications of pneumonia.
Jim was born July 25, 1940, in Richmond, Mo., to Lucille Clemmons and Henry Owen Barger. He graduated from Orrick High School in 1958. He was wed to Frances Parker June 5, 1971. Jim worked for Ford Motor Company in Claycomo for 35 years, retiring in 1994. After his retirement he spent another 10 years working at Great Guns in Kearney.
Jim served on the Kearney Planning and Zoning Board for a number of years. He joined the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department (later Kearney Fire and Rescue Protection District) in 1973 as a firefighter. He was elected to Assistant Chief, a role in which he served until his retirement in 1999.
In the mid 1970s, he became active at the state level with the Firefighters Association of Missouri, where he served as Sergeant at Arms, First and Second Vice President and as President from 1995 – 1999. During his tenure as President, he was responsible for creating the committee and appointing the first members for the Missouri Firefighters Memorial built in Kingdom City. He was presented the first numbered flag to be flown over the memorial.
Jim volunteered for the State Fair Fire Department, serving in a number of roles including Chief for the 1981 and 1982 fairs. He was also a member of the West Central Fire Association.
Jim and Frances loved to travel and spent several summers in Colorado where they spent one summer working for the U.S. Forest Service.
Jim is survived by his wife of 43 years, Frances; two sons, Eric and Ed; five grandchildren, Cameron, Simone, Josh, Myranda and Justice; one great-granddaughter, Lilly; one brother, Donald; one sister, Ellen Williams; one niece, Jennifer Maddux; one nephew, Donavon; and a great nephew, Nicholas.
He is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Linda.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Fry-Bross & Spidle Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Memorial service will be Thursday, January 8, 2015 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations to the Firefighters Memorial Foundation of Missouri.
The Firefighter's Prayer
When I'm called to duty God
wherever flames may rage
give me strength to save a life
whatever be its age.
Help me to embrace a little child
before it is too late
or save an older person from
the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert,
to hear the weakest shout,
and quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling and
to give the best in me
to guard my neighbor and
protect his property.
And if according to Your will
I have to lose my life,
bless with Your protecting hand
my children and my wife.
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