James H. Barley, of Boise, Idaho, was called home by our Lord on October 1, 2016 after a long battle with congestive heart failure. He was born December 31, 1932 on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina. He lived on the island and loved the beaches for the next 18 years. He joined the US Naval Reserve in 1950. Jim then joined the US Coast Guard in 1951 and stayed until March of 1954. He was assigned to be on the USCGC Black Haw 390 and the USCGC West Wind w281. In August 1955, Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force. He proudly served our country until November 1981 when he retired at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. In 1958, Jim volunteered for operation Hardtack, a nuclear bomb testing operation. He also worked on the F111A/E/F and was selected as NCO of the year in 1974.
Jim met his wife Nancy in 1960. On the beach of Waikiki. They married in Seattle in 1962. Jim and Nancy traveled the country together with the Air Force and were also stationed at Upper Heyford, England for 3 years. The stories of travel and adventure are always family favorites to hear around the dining room table.
In 1981, Jim joined the Lions and was an active member in the Mountain Home club as well as clubs in Meridian and Star. He loved being of service to others. While in the Lions, he was president of the Mountain Home club for one year and also served as District Governor for Idaho 39e. Jim was awarded the Melvin Jones award twice in his lifetime for outstanding humanitarian service.
Jim became Catholic in 1983. He was an active member of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Mountain Home and at Sacred Heart parish in Boise. He joined the Knights of Columbus and rose to the rank of 4th degree knight.
After retiring from the Air Force in 1981, Jim became a high school counselor at Mountain Home High School, and continued for the next 12 years. He loved his students, and was instrumental in beginning a program to stop teen suicide called Natural Helpers. After retiring from MHHS, Jim and Nancy enjoyed 23 years of travel, friends, and most importantly, family.
Jim was preceded in death by his father Ernest Barley, mother Dixie Mund, 3 brothers Robert, Michael and Earnest Jr as well as his sister Shirley and his first wife Gloria. He is survived by his brother Billy and wife Marie and numerous nieces and nephews, children James Barley Jr, Kerry Peterson and Lynn Perry. Grandchildren Christopher Wisher, Christy, Britni, Jason, and Rance. Great-grandchildren Sophia , Kaya, Skylar and Ace, all of South Carolina.
The love of his life and wife of 54 years, Nancy Wright, children Juliane Lindquist and Matthew Barley, grandchildren Heather Gidley, Alexander Gidley, Nolan Barley, Connor Barley and Noah Lindquist, and great-grandson Landon Craig. of Idaho and Maryland.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, October 5th at 5pm with a Rosary following at 7pm at Summers Funeral Chapel, 3629 E. Ustick Rd. Meridian, ID 83646. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, October 6th at 10am Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 811 S. Latah St, Boise, ID 83705.
Jim will be interned at the Veterans Cemetery after the mass and a reception. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Lions sight and Hearing Foundation, 1090 N. Cole Rd, Boise, ID 83704.
We will love you and miss you forever, Dad!!!
Condolences may be made to James web page at www.summersfuneral.com.
Posted in: Idaho Statesman
Posted on: 2016-10-05
Link to original obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/idahostatesman/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=181729414#sthash.4Faw8hxR.dpuf