Fallen Hero: Retired Chief Warrant Officer Four James Lee Barker

Brandon, MS

Funeral Home

Baldwin & Lee Funeral Home

Obituary

Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:

Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.

In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero.  Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.

Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on September 27, 2025, and has moved on to his heavenly home.  Chief Warrant Officer Four James Lee Barker, age 89, who had served in HHB, 631st Field Artillery Group; and MSNG Joint Forces Headquarters has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.  James had worked fulltime as a USPFO-MS auditor for numerous years and later converted to AGR as the JFH Property Book Officer.

It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country.  A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.

Rest in Peace Soldier.  We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.

You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.

Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.

Obituary, Visitation, and Service Details:

James was born on January 21, 1936, in Vardaman, MS, to Mr. James Allen Barker and Mrs. Carris Alexander Barker. James graduated from Vardaman High School and enlisted in the Mississippi Army National Guard on February 13, 1964. He retired with 41 years of service.

James was a member of Brandon Baptist Church in Brandon, MS. He was also a former member and deacon of Westview Baptist Church in Jackson, MS. He loved serving his country in the Army National Guard and serving in his church. He also loved the friendships that both built. Even though he never owned one himself he loved tractors. But most of all he loved his family. On March 3, 1982, he married Ms. Susie Moore the love of his life.

Mr. Barker is preceded in death by his parents; brother, David Barker; sisters, Janie Mitchell and Sarah Blalock; and grandson, Joseph Anthony Barker.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 43 years, Susie Moore Barker; sons, James Anthony “Tony” Barker (Elizabeth) of Mendenhall, MS, and Stan Gray (Cindy) of Perry, GA; daughters, Virginia Case (Jerry) of Brookhaven, MS, Susan Hearn (Vernon) of Lena, MS, and Joan Booker (Steve) of Orange Beach, AL; grandchildren, Lindsey Mast (Justin) of Anchorage, AK, James Kennedy of Fairchild AFB, WA, Houston Alexander Case of Ridgeland, MS, Carris “Addie” Case of Louisville, KY. He also leaves behind 7 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 02, 2025, from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl, MS. A memorial service will be held at 10:00am on Friday, October 3, 2025, at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in the chapel. A graveside service will take place at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton, MS on Friday, October 03, 2025, at 12:30pm.