A memorial in the West Tennessee ENT Clinic lobby remembers Dr. James Harris Barker, who died in February 2015 after 33 years of practicing medicine. Hardly a day passes when the staff and patients don’t share a story about his warm personality, his kindness and his mischievous antics, said Marcie Smith, ENT Clinic office manager.


“He always made it fun to be at work, and he made us feel like we were his own children. For many of us, he was a wonderful father figure.”


Smith reminisced about Dr. Barker’s antics and pranks as she looked at his memorial and picture, which had his familiar teasing grin.


“Dr. Barker’s desk was always covered with a conglomerate of papers, files and books, all covered in coffee spills,” said Smith. “Once, he found a Christmas present in his office that he had bought for his wife three years ago.”


While he was known for his humor and carefree attitude, Dr. Barker took the care of his patients seriously, she said. He was board certified in otolaryngology and treated issues related to the ear, nose and throat.


His saddest day was the day that he decided to retire from practicing medicine after he had his first stroke, said his wife, Anne. “He loved practicing medicine more than anything.”


The Barkers met on a blind date at a football game in Memphis, and were married in 1963. They moved to Jackson in 1969 to be close to family and to be a part of a growing city that had a large pool of patients for Dr. Barker’s practice. Dr. Barker joined Dr. Charles Cox at the West Tennessee ENT Clinic.


“Jimmy was ahead of his time when we first came to Jackson because he also specialized in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, which was uncommon in those days,” said Mrs. Barker.


Dr. Barker grew up in Trenton and attended the University of Tennessee at Martin and Knoxville. He graduated from medical school at the University of Tennessee in Memphis and completed his residency at Tulane University in New Orleans. He also served as a physician in the army for two years.


“He loved being with people and he was happiest when he was in the middle of a crowd,” said Mrs. Barker. “Jimmy was always embarrassing our kids when they were teenagers, but he was a devoted family man, and he loved being with his family.”


Dr. Barker’s memorial in the lobby of the ENT Clinic showcases his monogrammed doctor coat, several physician tools and a picture of the man that many people miss.


“This memorial was just the nicest gesture,” said Mrs. Barker. “He was a kind-hearted man and I know that he will be very missed.”