Tribute Wall
In Memory of
James Robert "Jim" Barker
1957 - 2023
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Diane Gorsky posted a condolence
Thursday, February 29, 2024
I am deeply saddened to hear of Jim's passing. I met Jim when I was at Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. While we worked in different faculties, Jim was a great connector -- open to partnerships across the university. Jim was my mentor and friend, sharing his insightful perspectives, grounded in critical thinking. He was instrumental in my career development and interest in leadership research. In 2017, we published a paper on competing discourses in medical school leadership roles. As I now live in the UK Jim always sent a "Happy Canada Day" greeting on July 1st. He was a supportive collaborator, generous, warm, optimistic and kind -- and will be missed by many. My deepest condolences to Jim's family.
Diane Gorsky
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John Lammers posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
I never had the pleasure of meeting Jim, but he was instrumental in my career nonetheless. In 2010 he invited me to prepare a paper for a forum in Management Communication Quarterly when he was the editor. The bottom line is that he believed in my work and supported it out of pure scholarship and collegiality. He gave me renewed self confidence and a sense of purpose. What a gift! Thank you Jim.
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Linda Putnam posted a condolence
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Jim is one of the kindest, most generous, and caring individuals in our field. I have known him since Purdue days when I taught him and served on his MA committee. He also served as a section editor for the 2014 Sage Handbook of Organizational Communication that I co-edited. I have worked with him on so many different projects and have been warmed by his sense of humor, quick intellect, and incredible dedication as a scholar. Although he is known for his highly influential contributions to the field (especially concertive control in teams), he is most revered for his friendship, love of life, and generosity in spirit. I am so glad that I shared a dinner with him and mutual friends at ICA in Montreal in May 2023 so we could catch up. I never dreamed that it would be the last time that I would see him. My deepest sympathy to his family. I know how much he adored you and what a blessing you were to his life.
Linda Putnam
UCSB Professor
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Danielle Lawlor posted a condolence
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Sincere condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Barker. He was a fantastic professor. He was clearly well respected and regarded in the Dalhousie University community. May you hold dearly the memories you have with him. With deep sympathy.
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C. R. Scott posted a symbolic gesture
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
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We are so saddened to learn of Jim’s passing. Jim was one of the six editors who worked on the multi-year Org Comm Encyclopedia project. I have many fond memories of working with Jim at that time. He was quick to agree to help out as an editor, he was timely in wrangling articles, he was a thorough reviewer, he was always a good source of advice, and he did it all with a smile. I came to really value his areas of expertise (and they were many) along with his positive attitude toward others.
I knew Jim from back when we were both in our grad programs--and he and Laurie Lewis and I were competing for many of the same jobs (and Jim and Laurie were getting the best offers!). Jim’s work related to organizational identification and concertive control would influence some of my own work. Of course he was a very successful MCQ editor for 6 years. Jim had also offered, only half-jokingly, to help Laurie and I escape to his little part of Canada when Trump became president. We exchanged many fun/disturbing emails about all that…
Jim's passing is a huge loss to his immediate family...and to his extended organizational communication family. We will miss Brother Jim deeply.
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Samantha Nicholson posted a condolence
Friday, December 15, 2023
Looking back on my education experience at Dalhousie, Dr. Barker is one of the Professors who truly stood out and had an impact on me as a person. Dr. Barker's ability to allow the class to express themselves and begin the work of inward reflection was astounding. He always had a glowing smile and a twinkle in his eye when you entered his lecture. He has impacted so many people, in such a positive way.
My thoughts are with Dr. Barker's family, he truly was a wonderful person.
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Fatima B posted a condolence
Thursday, December 14, 2023
I had the privilege of being one of Dr Barker’s students this semester and the honour of learning from him on his last day in this world. Dr Barker’s wisdom, his kindness, his passion for teaching and his genuine care for his students will be part of my fondest memories of Dalhousie.
His loss is a tremendous one. My sincere condolences to the Barker family and the Dal community.
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Kaiulani Aldan lit a candle
Thursday, December 14, 2023
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I was so shocked when my Son told me about Jim passing. Even though I didn’t get a chance to meet him in person I know Jim was a very good person with a big heart. He was a great father and a loving husband. Thank you Jim for taking care of my son. And thank you so much for sending us the Christmas gifts.
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Patricia Donnelly posted a condolence
Thursday, December 14, 2023
My very deep condolences to you, Linda, and to Sarah and Felicity, on Jim’s death.
Brian received notice through the University and forwarded the notice to me. Clearly Jim was greatly admired and loved by all with whom he associated as teacher, scholar, leader, father, and partner. I can attest to his warmth, interest, and generosity and how you both are fully supportive of everything and everyone you are associated with. I spoke with Jim briefly in the last year at Dalplex where as always he greeted me warmly and we caught up about the family.
Your loss is great as is that of those he worked with.
It was an honour to have known him.
Again my sympathy on your loss.
Sincerely,
Patricia Donnelly
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Christopher Hartt lit a candle
Thursday, December 14, 2023
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Jim has been wonderful to me over the 14 or so years I have known him. We first met when he came to speak to my PhD program and be an external for a friend's thesis. When I joined the faculty at Dal, he reached out to me even though I work at the ag campus. We shared research interests and he brought me on board some projects which have been invaluable in my academic journey. I count him as a friend, mentor and a role model. When I think of Jim, I smile and hold back a tear.
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Mimi posted a condolence
Thursday, December 14, 2023
I was shocked to hear of Jim's passing. It's been a few years since I worked at the Faculty of Management, but I still remember Jim as such a kind and pleasant person to work with, and I know how much he was valued as a professor and colleague. Linda, much sympathy to you and your family!
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Sara uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, December 14, 2023
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Thank you to all those who came to the service today, Dec 14. There were issues with the recording but the slides from the service will Hopefully be posted soon. I am touched by your kind words for a remarkable man. -Sara
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Tim Kuhn lit a candle
Thursday, December 14, 2023
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Jim was a fantastic scholar, a brilliant thinker, but an even more amazing human. Long ago when he was at the Air Force Academy, we traded guest lecturing gigs--and the conversations we had around those--even simple, seemingly meaningless ones on the way to the parking lot after class--were always infused with care, humor, curiosity, and insight. And after those, his invitations to connect, to work through ideas in the pages of a journal, and his willingness to explore ideas both gave confidence to a young scholar and convinced him that there was a place for him in this academic field. We need more generous souls like Jim.
Jim, you were one of a kind, and you'll be missed immensely.
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Todd Conklin posted a condolence
Thursday, December 14, 2023
It is with a heavy heart I write a loving tribute to Jim. I was fortunate to study with Jim as my mentor and guide during my PhD. It is easy to talk about how smart and funny Jim was - but, that is not enough. Jim was loving and kind - above all loving and kind. The lives he touched are many. HIs memory will be a blessing to us all. I will miss you Jim.
Todd Conklin
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Brady Balicki posted a condolence
Thursday, December 14, 2023
I had the absolute pleasure of taking a class from Dr. Barker this past term. His enthusiasm for the material, and his overall positive attitude made this the best course I've ever taken.
He was an incredible person, and I'm thankful I got to know him these past few months. He leaves behind a strong legacy and thoughts I'll be taking with me for the rest of my days.
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Sarah Tracy posted a condolence
Thursday, December 14, 2023
I first got to know Jim because he was a recent doctoral grad at CU-Boulder, and any other graduate students (like me) who went to CU to study organizational communication were DEFINITELY going to hear about the brilliance of Jim Barker. His dissertation and resulting article on the iron cage of concertive control in self-managing teams was a "must read" and influenced so many of us in terms of our desire to engage in organizational communication ethnography and study the intersections of identification and control. For those of us who also worked with Phil Tompkins and George Cheney, we hoped that maybe just perhaps we could live up to what Jim had accomplished before us.
When I eventually met Jim in the flesh at conferences, he was always delightful, inviting, and kind. I learned the person who was made to be a "giant scholar" in my mind was also an amazing human being--who provided informal mentoring along the way.
My deepest condolences to your family. Jim made a huge difference to many of us in the organizational communication field. He certainly did for me. May he rest in peace.
Warmly,
Sarah J. Tracy
Professor and School Director
The Hugh Downs School of Human Communication
Arizona State University
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Gail Fairhurst posted a condolence
Thursday, December 14, 2023
What a lovely, lovely man Jim Barker was, and I was deeply sorry to hear of his passing. We had dinner together just a few months ago at a recent conference. His presence in the field will be deeply missed, and his friendship will be missed even more. My deepest condolences go out to his wife and daughters, whom I know he loved deeply.
Gail Fairhurst
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Mark Fleming posted a symbolic gesture
Thursday, December 14, 2023
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I’m so sad that we have lost Jim. He was such a wonderful person and friend. I enjoyed collaborating with him, his enthusiasm was infectious. He was a very special person and he will be dearly missed.
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François Cooren posted a condolence
Thursday, December 14, 2023
I was so sad to hear that Jim passed away. I first met him some twenty five years ago at an ICA conference and always loved talking with him about ideas and life in general.
We were very honoured to welcome him a few years ago when we invited him to give a lecture in our department at the Université de Montréal. What a great scholar he was!
We will miss him a lot!
François
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Denise Hinds posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
I was heartbroken beyond belief when I heard of Jim's sudden passing. Though our professional connection spanned only a few years, his influence on my life is immeasurable. Jim was not just a colleague but a compassionate role model, demonstrating genuine care for students and colleagues. His regular check-ins, went beyond work matters, extending to inquiries about my well-being, family, and even my pet budgies. Jim's compassion was a testament to the kind of person he was, the depth of his character, emphasizing the importance of personal connections. Jim's enthusiasm and brilliance were evident in his meticulously crafted courses, books, and program designs. His dedication to education was both inspiring and contagious.
As we mourn his loss, my sincere condolences go to his wife Linda, daughters, family, colleagues, students, and friends. Jim's legacy as a compassionate and brilliant individual will endure in our memories. His absence leaves a void, but the lessons he taught us about compassion, dedication, and enthusiasm will be a lasting tribute to his remarkable life. He will be deeply missed.
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Joan MacDonald posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
To Jim's family: I met Jim several years ago when he joined St. Mary's Lawn Bowls Club. I always enjoyed lawn bowling with him. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Joan MacDonald
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Marsha Moore Jackson posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
I'm sorry for your loss. Praying you have peace and comfort during this difficult time. I graduated HS with James at Quitman in 1976 and have many fond memories. Marsha (Moore) Jackson
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Carla Beaton posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
I met Jim in 2020 and have worked with him on our mutual passion for medication safety in community pharmacies. Jim led SafeAssured which is a group of researchers looking at data from medication errors and near miss events. Jim and I presented together, spoke regularly but I have to say I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person. It did not matter because his kindness and spirit is so strong it just came through the computer or phone and you felt it. He spoke often of his daughters and his family which meant a great deal to him. I only knew him for a short time but feel the loss as if I knew him my whole life. Jim was an amazing leader and so very knowledgable. He will be missed very much.
Carla Beaton
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Maria posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Seeing Jim's photo in this context still feels unreal. I remember how supportive he was when I lost my dad 4 years ago.
Linda, please know that we are with you and the girls during this trying time. You are not alone in your grief; we share in it and will cherish Jim's memory forever.
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Dex posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Jim taught me two classes during the Dal MBA. His passion for his work and enthusiasm in class brought the content to life. I’ll always remember Jim pausing after making a point or summarizing something, and asking the class, “why?” It was a defining moment in each class because it challenged us to think and apply. Jim, you will be missed. Prayers and thoughts are with your family, friends, students, and colleagues at Dalhousie.
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Sara Filbee posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
I only met Jim in the last 10 years but he had an outsized impact on my life. We had a mutual interest in complexity and the book that I have just had published would not have happened without his inspiration and support. That aside and perhaps more importantly, he became a good friend over the years since we met. Such a bright, kind and generous person. I already miss him. My condolences and love to his family.
Sara
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Jenn posted a condolence
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
I remember meeting him for the first time when I was in undergrad at your house. He made a funny joke about school, with a twinkle in his eye. Witty, quick, funny and so kind. Sending all of the love to you all <3
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The family of James Robert Barker uploaded a photo
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
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