James “Jim” Harold Barksdale of Steelville, Missouri was born on Feb. 12, 1935 in Deering, Missouri to Edgar and Inez (nee Raburn) Barksdale and passed away Sunday, June 7, 2026 at the age of 91 years, 3 months and 26 days.
He grew up in Caruthersville, Missouri and as a teenager moved to Higginsville, Missouri, where he graduated from Higginsville High School in 1953.
After graduation, he moved to Steelville, Missouri for his career in the shoe business, working at Cuba Shoe for 14 years. He later was employed with Meramec Industries in Sullivan for over 30 years until retirement in 1998.
Upon moving to the area, he attended the Steelville First Baptist Church where he met Georgia Beth Hopkins. They were married in 1954 at the First Baptist Church where they both continued to sing in the choir for over 60 years. Jim was a long-time deacon and continued to stay active at First Baptist until his passing.
Throughout the years Jim and Georgia Beth were very involved in bowling. He started participating in the Missouri State Senior Games in 2005 when he was 70 and won his first gold medal in the doubles event. In 2025, at age 90, Jim won three gold and one silver medal in the National Senior Games in Des Moines, Iowa.
Jim was a self-taught carver, carving his first shorebird in 1955. Over the years, Jim sold over 7,000 hand-carved and hand-painted shorebirds and songbirds. Jim and Georgia Beth attended many art and craft shows through the years and later Jim became a part of the Missouri Botanical Garden’s ‘Best of Missouri Market’ where he displayed his talent with the best artisans in the state.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Inez Barksdale; wife of 64 years, Georgia Beth; parents-in-law, Willis and Celeste Hopkins; brother, Wayne (Carol) Barksdale; sister, Glenda Chrysler; and brother-in-law, Larry Hopkins.
He is survived by two daughters, Kim Barksdale of Merriam, Kansas and Jan (Tom) Weisel of Steelville, Missouri; one son, Kevin (Terry) Barksdale of Springfield, Missouri; grandchildren, Sarah Weisel (Steve Reiniger), Steven (Brianna) Barksdale and Adam Barksdale; four great grandchildren, Norah, Marlow, Crosby and Archer Barksdale; sister-in-law, June Hopkins of Fredericktown, Missouri; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Rick Haggett and Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. Special memories were shared by Sarah Weisel, Kevin Barksdale and Bryan Taylor. Special music of “What a Day That Will Be,” “Find Us Faithful” and “When We All Get to Heaven” was sung by all. Other music of “We Will Meet Again” was sung by Bryan Taylor with accompaniment by Becky Simpson.
Committal prayer and interment were in the Steelville Cemetery in Steelville, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri.
