We Miss You
Emmersen grohs
71w
Family
Family
In loving memory
James Christopher Barrett
June 27, 1951 – May 12, 2024
Lived 72 years
St. Catherine’s · Moscow, PA
“People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel." ~Maya Angelou
Life story
James C. Barrett, originally from Dunmore, and a longtime resident of South Abington Township, was peacefully called home Sunday morning while surrounded by his loving and devoted family. His wife is the former Debra Fowler, and they were just short of celebrating half of a century as a happily married couple.
Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late Louis “Bud” and Evelyn Margaret “Peggy” Barrett. Jim was a graduate of Scranton Prep and earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Scranton. He was the extremely proud owner of Road Scholar Transport in Dunmore, and is forever indebted to those who chose to work with him in growing an organization that affords so many to put food on the table for their families.
Jim was a member of the Church of Saint Gregory, the Country Club of Scranton, Glenmaura National Golf Club, and The Scranton Club. He loved to play golf and, even if he didn’t par the course, he still enjoyed the good walk. Second to his family, his next true love was automobiles. He loved all types of cars, but the louder and the faster, the better for Jim. His love for fishing was shared with friends, and passed down to his family members through their many adventures – it didn’t matter where, just as long as they were actually catching, and not just fishing.
Amongst his many accomplishments, one of which he was particularly proud is the Road Scholar Awareness Campaign, which brings visibility to dozens of charitable foundations, and smiles to people’s faces. He and his family were recently honored with the appointment of Jim as the Grand Marshall of the Scranton Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.
In addition to his soul mate, he is survived by three daughters and one son, all of Clarks Summit. Marybeth & husband Mike Grohs, Kellie & husband Pat McMullen, Bridget & fiancé Jonathan Grega, and Matthew & wife Kate Barrett. Jim was also blessed with 8 beautiful grandchildren whom he adored; Colton, Brayden, Emmersen, Claire, Olivia, Arya, Madelyn, and Emily. Jim is also survived by his two sisters, Barbara A. Jordan & husband Tom and Mary Elizabeth “Betsy” Laffey & husband Pat, all of Scranton; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death in 2021 by his twin brother, John Barrett, and his best friend & beloved Newfoundland, Bentley, in 2023.
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The world James knew
Family milestones in gold, history for context
1951
Born June 27
1959
James was 8 when Barbie made her debut
1967
James was 16 when the first Super Bowl was played
1969
Graduated from Scranton Prep Highschool
1971
James was 20 when Walt Disney World opened in Florida
1973
Graduated College University of Scranton
1975
Married Debra Fowler
1975
Welcomed daughter, Marybeth, to the world
1979
Started Car Racing The Silver Shamrock
1979
Welcomed daughter, Kellie, to the world
1981
Welcomed daughter, Bridget, into the world
1982
Welcomed son, Matthew, into the world
1982
James was 31 when Michael Jackson released "Thriller"
1988
Started Road Scholar Transport
1998
James was 47 when "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" was published in America
2001
University of Scranton Alumni Achievement Award University of Scranton Alumni Achievement Award Presented award by m University President Joseph M. McShane, ...
2002
Welcomed first grandchild, Colton, to the world
2004
Welcomed grandson, Brayden, into the world
2005
James was 54 when the first video was posted to YouTube
2009
Welcomed granddaughter, Emmersen, into the world
2012
Welcomed granddaughter, Claire, into the world.
2014
Polar Plunge!
2014
Welcomed granddaughter, Olivia to the world
2014
Welcomed granddaughter, Arya, into the world
2016
James was 65 when Pokemon Go sent millions outdoors hunting creatures
2018
30th Anniversay of Road Scholar
2019
Welcomed granddaughter, Maddy, into the world.
2022
James was 71 when Queen Elizabeth II died after 70 years on the throne
2023
Birthday
2023
Welcomed granddaughter, Emily, to the world.
2024
Grand Marshal 2024 St. Patrick's Day Parade
2024
Passed away May 12, age 72
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