James Henry Barrier

James Henry Barrier, known to many as Jim, passed away on November 1, 2026, at Atrium Health Cabarrus. He was born on January 14, 1944, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.

Jim was a 1962 graduate of Mount Pleasant High School. During his high school years, he excelled in football and he turned down an athletic scholarship to play football at Duke to marry his sweetheart, Patsy Furr, who also turned down an athletic scholarship to play basketball at NC State.

He found joy in the simple and meaningful things. Jim loved farming and spent many years raising cows and pigs. He also enjoyed deer hunting and was an avid reader and writer, always paying close attention to detail. Some of his happiest times were spent on cruises with his wife and on family vacations to the beach. He especially loved attending sporting events for all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, taking pride in cheering them on and being present for the moments that mattered.

Jim was also a member of The Lutheran Church of The Holy Trinity, a place that was part of his life and faith.

Above all, Jim was devoted to his family. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Hough Barrier; his sons, Matt Barrier and his wife, Heidi, and Dan Barrier and his wife, Patricia; and his daughter, Wendy Duke and her husband, Ed Duke, Jr. He is also survived by his brother, Luther Barrier and his wife, Rose; and by his sisters, Sharon Phillips and Shirley Bowers and stepsons: Ray, Mac and Dwayne Cox.

His family continued to be a great source of pride and happiness to him. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Matthew Barrier, Brett Barrier, Jacob Barrier, Rachel Ridenhour, Brady Duke, and Colby Duke; and 8 great grandchildren. They, along with the younger generations he loved to watch and encourage, were a lasting blessing in his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Henry Barrier and Kathryn Honeycutt Barrier and his first wife, Patsy Furr Barrier.

A visitation will be held on November 4, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Gordon Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant, 8559 Cook St, Mt Pleasant, NC 28124. The funeral service will be held on November 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Lutheran Church of The Holy Trinity, 1500 S Main St, Mount Pleasant, NC 28124. Burial will follow at Lutheran Church of The Holy Trinity Cemetery, 8350 Walnut St, Mount Pleasant, NC 28124.

Jim will be remembered for his love of family, his steady presence, and the way he enjoyed a life rooted in faith, hard work, and the people he loved most.