Jonathan Barkey was born December 1, 1971 to Amos Barkey Jr. and Emma Barkey in Hammond, Indiana. Jonathan attended Hammond High where he proved to be an outstanding basketball player. He graduated in 1990 and went on to DeKalb College in Louisiana, from there he enlisted in the United States Army. While in the Reserves Jonathan began working at Sam’s Club where he met Jennifer. In 1996 Jonathan and Jennifer married and to this union they had three children, Ja’Kia, Jeremiah, and Janelle. Jonathan accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at an early age later going on to become an Ordained Deacon.
Jonathan has proven himself to be a leader, in 2004 he led his family to Arizona and began working in the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Industry as a manager for West Pharmaceutical Services. Jon’s leisure basketball hobby turned into a coaching career in 2006 at the YMCA with his two youngest children and expanded to the Greater Levels’ Organization in Buckeye, AZ.
In 2015 he began coaching at Buckeye Union High School, this allowed him the opportunity to coach his son, Jeremiah, and daughter Janelle.
Jonathan's understanding for basketball allowed him to do what he loved the most mentoring, developing and encouraging youth with life skills through basketball. He advocated for several student athletes allowing them to obtain scholarships. Jonathan touched the hearts and lives of so many, living out his legacy.
Jonathan was called to be with the Lord January 11, 2023. Jonathan was a charismatic, loving, and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, Godfather, friend, coach, and employee among many other roles.
Jonathan was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Andrea Collins.
Jonathan leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Jennifer Barkey, children Ja'Kia, Jeremiah and Janelle of Goodyear, AZ; sister Clarissa Jackson, of Hammond, IN, brother-in-law, Kenneth Collins of Lafayette, IN, sister-in-law Juavita Harper of Buckeye, AZ, brother-in-law, Lawrence Frazier of Phoenix, AZ, niece Jothany Williams, nephews Joshua Williams, Isaias Jackson Jr., Jordan Jackson. Great nieces Sloan Williams, Shiloh Williams, great nephew, Jonah Williams. Grand children Kyrie Wilkerson, Khalil Wilkerson. God-mother, Lorraine James, God-children, Briana Lampkin, and Lehemeiah Mayberry, and a host of family and friends.
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