James Patrick Barnard
September 16, 1958 – June 24, 2026

James “Jim” Patrick Barnard, 67, of Pacific, Missouri, passed away on June 24, 2026. Born on September 16, 1958, in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late Joseph and Phyllis (née Hahn) Barnard, Jim lived a life defined by service, resilience, and an unwavering devotion to his family.

Jim proudly served his country in the United States Army during two periods of active duty, first enlisting at just 17 years old in 1975 and returning to active service in 1980. Jim found purpose in military service, where he rose through the enlisted ranks to leave the Army as a Sergeant, earning the respect of those around him. During nearly eight years of active-duty service, he earned the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, the coveted Expert Infantryman Badge, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, and the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon. The responsibility of leading soldiers and serving something larger than himself became an important chapter of his life, especially his time along the Korean Demilitarized Zone. The experiences of those years stayed with him for the rest of his life, joining him to a brotherhood of fellow soldiers to which he was proud to belong. He married Christine Bauer in 1978, and together they built a family that remained the center of his world.

After his honorable discharge in 1984, Jim settled into civilian life and put the same work ethic he’d carried in uniform into everything he did. He drove a cement truck before joining Integram St. Louis Seating, where he worked throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s manufacturing seats for the Chrysler minivan. He later took to the open road as a long-haul truck driver, logging countless miles across the country.

But more than any job, game, or pastime, Jim loved his people. He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan and cheered on the Kansas City Chiefs with equal passion. He enjoyed golfing, riding his motorcycle, coaching his sons’ baseball teams, and sharing a love of Taekwondo with them. He was fiercely protective of those he loved and rarely met a stranger—the kind of man who greeted everyone with a joke, a tease, or a hug, sometimes all three at once.

Jim is survived by his sons, Rick Barnard and wife Jennifer, and their daughters Charlotte and Annabel, of Montgomery, Illinois; Jimmy Barnard and wife Lauren, and their daughters Sawyer, Fynleigh, Georgia, and Journi, of St. Clair, Missouri; and Jason Barnard and his daughters Khloe Coats and Taylor Barnard; as well as their mother, Christine Barnard, of Pacific, Missouri. He is also survived by his siblings: John Barnard and wife Sandy, of Villa Ridge, Missouri; Joseph Barnard Jr. and wife Jeanne, of St. Clair, Missouri; Teresa Barnard, of Villa Ridge, Missouri; Jeff Barnard, of Beaufort, Missouri; and several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Bell Funeral Home in Pacific, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Jim’s name to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at dogood.t2t.org/IMOJamesBarnard.

Jim will be deeply missed by all who knew him and remembered with a laugh, a hug, and a whole lot of love.