Rev. James Emmett Barksdale

    Jim Barksdale was at his best when he was bringing God's love to children through stories and art. According to his family and associates, he was gifted with the ability to understand and explain God's word.
The much-loved associate pastor at Duvall Evangelical Methodist Church passed away on Nov. 10 after a short, serious illness. He was 46.
Jim was born in Richmond, Virginia on Feb. 1, 1949 where he lived until he joined the Coast Guard in 1968. During high school, he was quarterback for the JV football team at Thomas Jefferson and played basketball in the First Baptist Church League.
During his stint in the Coast Guard, Jim enjoyed the opportunity to travel and found himself in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Guam, and San Francisco, flying search and rescue missions as an aviation electronics technician.
From an early age, Jim displayed natural artistic abilities and developed his talents at the College of San Mateo.
In 1978 he and his wife, Linda, moved to the Duvall area. An invitation to Vacation Bible School from the Duvall Church prompted the idea of a spiritual education for son Michael, and the family began attending regularly.
In 1983, Jim answered the call to Christian ministry and the family moved to Iowa so he could attend Vennard Bible College where he graduated with honors in 1986. He received several faculty awards and was named to "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities."
He pastored the Peninsula Evangelical Methodist Church in Moses Lake for seven years, then returned to Duvall in 1993 as associate pastor at the Duvall Evangelical Methodist Church, ministering to children and their families. He worked through Sunday School, Children's Church, Pioneer Club, VBS, Harvest Carnival, Opening Day of Sunday School, and Pioneer Camp.
Jim is survived by his wife, Linda; sons Michael and Justin; daughter Rachael; his mother Doris; sister Barbara Barksdale of Richmond, Virginia; brother Tom, of Mechanicsville, Virginia; three nieces, Ashley, Shea and Blake; and a nephew, Sawyer.
Over 700 people attended the memorial service that was held on Nov. 14 at the Duvall Church. Memorials may be made to the scholarship fund created in his name at the Duvall Evangelical Methodist Church. A graveside family service was held at Novelty Hill Cemetery.