James Barry Pipkin

James Barry Pipkin was born on June 26, 1937 in Seminole, Oklahoma and died in Joplin, Missouri at his home on July 20, 2021.

He loved to be with friends and family and developed lifelong friendships.

He went to the University of Oklahoma before enlisting in the United States Army and remained a forever “Boomer Sooner” fan.

Barry worked at Dorflex Electronics in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was transferred to California and then landed in Joplin, Missouri. The company was purchased by LaBarge Electronics where he worked for almost 50 years. At retirement he was Vice President of Global Sales. LaBarge, Inc. was an industry that supported the aerospace and defense industry. He regularly worked with companies such as NASA, Boeing, Raytheon, Lockhead Martin, US Department of Defense, Hughes Aircraft, etc. He attended the first Space Shuttle launch! He was a tenacious salesman and secured several multi-million-dollar contracts. The J Barry Pipkin Innovation Center was opened in 2012 focusing on research and development.

Throughout his life he was an avid learner and instilled the importance of work ethic, doing the best at your job, sticking with it, and the Golden Rule! He was very loyal and positive.

His hobbies included shuffleboard (which he placed in state tournaments), photography and videography, blackjack, and fast driving cars. He was very entertaining and enjoyed performing a few tricks from time to time like tearing a phonebook in half or getting a cork out of a wine bottle.

Chances are you have signed a dollar bill! If “5 Iron” sounds familiar you know golf was not his game.

He was a worldwide traveler and spent weekends with friends and family! Whether camping with Raindrops Inc. and canoe races or skiing, there were many trips spent together.

Barry was known as “Father Time” and his CB handle was “Horseshoe”. They even got to see his favorite artist, Elvis, in Las Vegas! He was the most generous and big-hearted person. Whether family, friend, or stranger he wanted everyone to enjoy life. You would always get a strong handshake! If you ever got stuck in the debate of “Which came first? The chicken or the egg” you know how fun conversations with him could be. You also know that the 80/20 rule applies to everything! He was also never short of discussion material when it came to OU Sooners football!

Barry was loved tremendously and will be missed.

He was the son of James William Pipkin and Ruth Evelyn (Amis) Pipkin and the brother of William (Bill) Amis PIpkin.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara Janette (Sterkel) who he met on a blind date in Oklahoma City. Also survived by three daughters, Jill Jones and husband Steve, Jenifer Cryer and husband Jason, and Jan Pipkin; and 3 grandchildren, Taylor Keene, Alec Jones, and Abigail Cryer.

Visitation will take place Friday, July 30, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Mason Woodward Chapel in Joplin, Missouri.