Jim Barger

Jim Barger, age 82, lifelong resident of Bradley County, TN, passed away Sunday evening, May 3, 2015, in a local hospital. He was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church. He was retired from the Bradley County Schools with over 40 years of service. He served as longtime principal of Bradley Junior High School. He served for eight years on the Bradley County Commission. He was an avid gardener and loved to fish and travel. He was a fan of the Atlanta Braves. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 51 years, Mary Evelyn Barger; his parents, Frank A. Barger, Sr. and Margaret Copeland Barger; four brothers, Frank Barger, Jr., Johnny Barger, Alvin Barger and Edwin Barger and four sisters, Frances McClanahan, Dorothy McClanahan, Jewel Gobble and Jean Wainwright. He is survived by one son and daughter in law, Steve and Tonya Thompson-Barger, Cleveland, TN and step son, David Lee, Birmingham, AL; two grandchildren, Taylor Thompson and Alexia Thompson, Cleveland; one brother and sister in law, Clifford and Patsy Barger, Cleveland, TN; brother in law, Lynn Gobble, sisters in law, Ruby Morgan, Nell Barger and Judy Barger. Numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews also survive. A Celebration of the Life and Home Going of Jim Barger will be held Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Tim Bracken and Rev. Tony McClanahan officiating. Interment will follow in Hilcrest Memorial Gardens with Kirk Gobble, Brian Copeland, Jared Gaston, Taylor Thompson, Bobby Burns and Mike Patterson serving as pallbearers. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials please be made to the American Heart Association. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church and also one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Arrangements are being handled by Grissom-Serenity Funeral Home, Mark S. Grissom Funeral Director. Online condolences may be sent to www.grissomserenity.com