James "Jim" Edward Barry

James Edward Barry (Jim), 82, of Louisville, CO died peacefully on September 27, 2026. He was born May 4, 1944, in Joliet, Illinois to parents Jack Martin Barry and Helen Margaret (Rutten) Barry. The young Barry family moved to Morris, Illinois where Jim met his future wife, Gail Sue Atkins, in third grade when they were seated in alphabetical order.

The second of 5 children [Jack, Jim, Doug, Rita, and Robert (Bob)], Jim worked for their family’s silo building business, Railoc Company, Inc. They traveled throughout the Midwest region building silos for area farmers throughout their high school years, working long grueling hours in the hot summer sun.

Upon High School Graduation in 1962, Jim and Gail began their romance that endured while Jim attended the University of Illinois and Gail attended the Lutheran General School of Nursing. The practical skills from his time with Railoc and his interest in Mathematics led Jim to study Engineering. Jim and Gail happily married on August 7, 1965 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Morris. They moved to Champaign-Urbana where they started a family while Jim finished school.

After earning a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Jim moved his young family to Ohio, settling in South Russell outside of Chagrin Falls where they lived for almost 50 years. They were active in their community and members of the St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church where Jim ushered for many years. Jim went on to develop expertise in Structural Engineering, particularly working with concrete. His professional life had him traveling all over South America and a few countries in Europe. Highlights of his professional life included the development of a coupling for rebar, work on the Guri Dam (now the Simon Bolivar Hydroelectric Plant) in Venezuela, and the design of the special polymer underwater tunnel at Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Additionally, he started his own home inspection business in 2004 and helped bring a Maple Sugar House dream into reality.

Family and friends meant the world to Jim. When he was not working, he enjoyed coaching youth soccer, hiking, camping, and fishing. Jim had deep respect for Native Americans and indigenous cultures, collecting fine artwork from locations throughout North and South America, admiring their craftsmanship, and spending time learning about their history, beliefs, and customs. He was an avid gardener growing numerous vegetables and dabbled in wine making with his concord grapes. He gave his time to family, friends, and neighbors, and was always willing to drive people to and from appointments. Their home was always open to others, holding holiday gatherings, making soups and breads for their neighbors during the cold winter months, and hosting an AFS student from Venezuela. Jim and Gail enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends throughout the US including big trips to Alaska and Ireland where they found more information about the Barry family’s ancestors. Jim always enjoyed celebrating his Irish heritage on St. Patrick’s Day, particularly the Irish Coffee and Irish Soda Bread! He will be remembered for his great laugh, bad jokes, and endless generosity.

Jim is survived by Gail, his wife of 61 years; his daughter, Michelle Law (Michael); his son, Thad Barry; his AFS daughter, Norma Roman; 5 grandchildren: 4 grandsons and a granddaughter; 6 nephews, 5 nieces and numerous great-nephews, great-nieces, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his brothers Jack and Doug, and his sister Rita Henderson as well as 2 nieces.

A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday December 19th, 2026 from 1pm - 4pm, the location will be announced soon. In lieu of flowers, please donate to charity (Wounded Warrior Project, St Jude Children's Hospital, Toys for Tots).