James Gregory Barker

James Gregory Barker

James Gregory “Greg” Barker, Nashville, TN, 38, formerly of Oak Ridge, TN, passed away unexpectedly following a brief illness April 24, 2025. He is now with the Lord and Lindsey, his sister who passed in February.

Greg’s early years were spent on the baseball field playing for The Oak Ridge Boys Club, Claxton and Karns teams. He transitioned to skateboarding and in-line skating during his middle and high school years. The more extreme the course or trick the better. He competed in in-line skate events in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Brevard, NC and Atlanta, GA. He felt free while skating. Greg’s skates and skateboard were still in his car when he passed away.

His move to Nashville in 2022 brought him a new lease on life. He worked as an AT&T cell tower technician and as a dispatcher/tow truck operator in the Nashville Metro area.

Greg was a wonderful son, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle, and friend to all who knew him. Becoming an uncle with the birth of his niece in 2021, Braylin Mae Stubblefield (Lindsey’s daughter) was a bright star in his world. Greg loved people and animals. He never met a stranger and cherished his friendships in Oak Ridge and Nashville. Greg’s love of animals led him to volunteer in the Nashville area with feline foster care programs.

Greg was born in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Greg was dedicated as an infant at First Baptist Church of Oak Ridge and later baptized in 2018.

Greg attended First United Methodist Nursery, Glenwood Elementary, Jefferson Middle, and graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 2005. He excelled in graphic communications at Oak Ridge High School receiving “Outstanding Graphic Communications Student” his junior and senior years.

Family which predeceased Greg; Lindsey Barker, sister, Spring Hill, TN, James and Edna Barker, George and Gladys Evans, grandparents of Oak Ridge, TN, Frankie Faloon, a bonus grandmother and dear family friend, Oak Ridge, TN, Rex Moody, uncle, Ten Mile, TN.

Left to cherish his memory are Martha and Richard Barker, parents, Oak Ridge, TN, Braylin Mae Stubblefield, niece, Spring Hill, TN, Sandra and Tom Davidson, Susan and Bobby Latham, aunts and uncles of Oak Ridge, Terry and Kaye Barker, uncle and aunt, Chapel Hill, NC, Janice Moody, aunt, Kingston, TN. Cousins, Elise Garland, Rogersville, TN, Shana and Dave Dillow, San Jose, California, Christine Graham, Oak Ridge, TN. Jason and Devon Barker, Clay and Kimberly Barker, North Carolina. Bonus family, Brendan, Savannah, and Isabella Stubblefield, Spring Hill, TN, Former wife and special friend, Tiffany Barker, Smyrna, TN. Greg was blessed with many friends in the Oak Ridge and Nashville area who have reached out to the family.

Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes; death shall be no more, neither shall mourning, nor crying, nor pain be any more, for the former things have passed away”. Be comforted in the word of the Lord.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 12, 2025 between the hours of 1:00pm (EDT) - 4:00pm (EDT) at the Midtown Community Center (Wildcat Den) 102 Robertsville Rd Oak Ridge, TN 37830.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Helping Paws Animal Network (HPAN), a 501 (C)(3) via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/1232698; VENMO: @HPAN37830; HPAN: 969 Oak Ridge Turnpike, PMB 304, Oak Ridge, TN 37830; The Boys and Girls Club of Oak Ridge, or the charity of the donors choice in Greg’s honor.