James William “Jim” Barker

Barker, James William “Jim” of Aylmer passed away at the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital on Friday, February 7, 2020 in his 87th year. Beloved husband of Elsje (Hazelaar) Barker. Dear father of Christopher and Stephanie. Loving grandfather of Abbey and Ben. Brother of Rhoda MacIntyre (John) of Thamesford and Kathleen Ellington (Dennis) of London and brother-in-law of Audrey Barker, Edward Alway, Tina Barker and Kaaren Barker. Predeceased by his twin sister Jean Johnston (1981), sister Doreen Alway (1997), brothers John Barker (1994), Gordon Barker (2016) and Robert Barker (2017) and brother-in-law Hector Johnston. He will be missed by a number of nieces and nephews. Born in Dereham Township, Ontario on January 1, 1934, son of the late James and Katheleen (Songhurst) Barker. James received his early education in Springfield and his high school education in Aylmer. After high school, James joined the Royal Bank in Aylmer, serving in London and Hamilton, before joining the Accounting Firm of Campbell, Lawless in London, graduating as a chartered accountant in 1965. Once James graduated as a chartered accountant, he joined the accounting firm, with Gordon Denning, operating the Aylmer office until 1988, at which time James, along with Elsje, purchased the franchise, Academy of Learning in London. They sold their interest in 1997, where James and Elsje then returned to Aylmer to continue operating a tax and accounting practice until his retirement in August of 2014. James was a past Noble Grand and dedicated member of the IOOF. A service will be held at the H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home, Aylmer on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 11am with visitation an hour prior. Cremation-Burial, Aylmer Cemetery. Donations to the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital or the Aylmer Area Community Foundation would be appreciated. Share memories or condolences at kebbelfuneralhome.com