James Harry Barkley

James Harry Barkley, lovingly called “Harry”, passed away after a brief illness at Madison Home Place on September 5, 2024, at the the age of 94. Harry was born February 9, 1930, in Iuka, Mississippi to Dr. James Wesley Barkley of Cotton Plant, MS and Iva Manning Powell of Chalybeate, MS. The family moved to Belzoni, MS several years later and he was proud to call Belzoni his hometown.  He was the eldest of three brothers: Gene Alben Barkley of Zachary, LA and William Donald Barkley Sr of Brandon, MS.

Harry was an athlete and musician at Belzoni High School where he was a co-captain of his football team, boxed Golden Gloves and played cornet and baritone in the band. But even as a youngster, his most beloved activities were hunting and fishing.

Harry attended Ole Miss and was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity starting in 1949. He left college after 2 years to enlist in the Air Force for active duty during the Korean War. He served as a door gunner on the B-29 and then as a boom operator on the KC-97 aerial refueler. He completed his 4-year enlistment at the rank of staff sergeant and returned to Ole Miss to complete his bachelor’s degree. Upon his return to Ole Miss, he was introduced to, and fell in love with, Betty Ann (Bo) Johnson of Senatobia, MS. They married after graduation and remained in Oxford for several years. Harry began working part time for the then-named Mississippi Game and Fish Commission while attending school. This turned into a 36-year career as a fisheries biologist. 

While in Oxford, their eldest son, or as Harry jokingly said, “my number one son” Jay Harry Barkley was born. Harry’s job moved them to Jackson, MS where he worked for years out of the Turcotte Lab during and after the construction of the Ross Barnett Reservoir. Their youngest son, Matt Powell Barkley was born during this time. 

Harry retired in 1992 as the Assistant to the Chief of Fisheries of the now Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks. A few highlights of his long career were his work on the introduction of the Florida strain striped bass to the Ross Barnett Reservoir; his single term service as President of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society; and being frequently asked to be a fishing guide on the Ross Barnett reservoir for politicians, administrators, and a few celebrity fishermen. He would also fly his co-workers and bosses to meetings, flying over Mississippi lakes to count the numbers of boats and fishermen.

Harry particularly loved jigging for crappie, wading and fly fishing for bass and bream, dove hunting, duck hunting in the Mississippi delta, and bow hunting for deer. He loved doing these activities with his sons, his co-workers/friends and his brothers and his nephews. He was skilled in woodworking and enjoyed learning to wood carve. He was a member and officer for a time with the Pearl River Wood Carvers Guild. Harry enjoyed, and was quite prolific in, producing the wood carvings for Bo and her sister Janette to paint and sell at craft shows. Harry and Bo loved to travel and trailer camp with their church friends, the Rocking Chair Rollers. 

Harry was a faithful member of the then Belvedere Church of Christ where he served for a period as an elder. He was a founding and longstanding member of Siwell Road Church of Christ. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. J. W. Barkley; mother, Iva Barkley; brothers, Don Barkley Sr. (Caroline) and Gene Barkley (Dot); and earlier this year, his wife of 65 years, Betty Barkley.

He is survived by his sons, Jay Barkley of Ridgeland, MS, and Matt Barkley (Donna) of Owens Crossroads, AL; grandchildren, Lauren Barkley Hogeland (Daniel) of Pinson, AL, Shelley Barkley Foster (Cramer) of Gig Harbor, WA, and Ashley Barkley of Mobile, AL; great-grandchildren, Harper Hogeland and Zoe Hogeland; and numerous nieces, nephews and their families.