Obituary: Jackie Edward Barling

February 1, 1933 ~ February 6, 2025 (age 92)

Jackie, “Jack”, Edward Barling, first born son of Henry Aaron and Lucy Cordelia Barling, born in Fort Smith Arkansas February 1,1933, was lovingly welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior after a long fought battle with Alzheimers on February 6th, 2025. When he left this earth he had just celebrated his 92nd birthday.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 67 years, Earlene Beatrice Barling, and his 5 children: Glenn Austin Barling of Richland Washington, Jackette Williams of Borrego Springs, Bretney Jill Barling of Borrego Springs, Rachel Leah Hess of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Jasper Levi Barling of Borrego Springs.

Jack graduated high school in 1951 from Julian High School where he excelled as an Eagle in sports and was also the first male cheerleader at his school.

Jack joined the Air Force during the Korean War and served for 4 years earning an honorable discharge in 1955. During his time of service he played baseball for the Air Force. While stationed in Japan he played baseball for his team named the Misawa Jets. While training in Denver he was a drummer in the Air Force marching band.

In 1955, during a 30-day leave, Jack met Earlene Pratt during the “Sun Worshippers Festival” at the Old Hoberg's Resort in Borrego Springs and they jitterbugged the night away. Jack and Earlene married November 30, 1957 at the Methodist Church in Borrego Springs.

After marriage Jack worked at the Lumber Company in Borrego Springs. He was trained and worked as a glazier. The two shared a cozy apartment on Stirrup Road. Their first son, Glenn, was born in 1958 and the family relocated to Ocotillo Wells where Jack worked as a shop foreman and mechanic at Half Hill Ranch, where Earlene’s father, Clary Pratt was ranch manager. 1960 brought their first daughter, Jackette Alynn.

Around 1963 Jack bought the inventory for the Union Oil 76 station in Borrego Springs which, at the time, was located on Christmas Circle and he moved his family of four back to Borrego Springs. Over the course of years that followed Jack worked alongside his brothers, Wayne and Henry, making the gas station business a successful endeavor. 1964 Jack ran and co-owned the A&W rootbeer drive-in on Palm Canyon Drive where they successfully added a dining room and featured Mexican food. He also started a tow truck business, and brought in three coin-operated ice houses. Jack was a member of the JayCees and served as president one year. He started Little League in Borrego Springs where he coached his team, the Indians, to many victories. His son, Glenn, learned to love the sport and years later Jack was proud to see his son play AAA baseball with the San Francisco Giants. Jack was an active member of Borrego Springs fire department where one year he served as a fire commissioner and fire engineer.

1967 Jack welcomed his third child, Bretney Jill.

January 26, 1971 – Jack, Earlene, Bretney and their newborn baby, Laura Leatha, were in a fatal car accident where Laura was killed. The entire Borrego community, family and friends mourned with them in their loss.

Within a year later, a spiritual revival was sweeping across Southern California and Jack had a life-changing encounter with God where he named Jesus Christ as his Lord. He finished up his college degree at California Baptist College in Riverside, where he welcomed his fourth child, Rachel Leah, in 1974.

The Jack Barling family sold their Borrego home and service station business and moved to Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in the Bay Area where Jack earned his Masters in Divinity with the goal of pastoring a church and continuing to preach the Good News. In 1976 Jack and Earlene welcomed their sixth and final child, Jasper Levi, who was born in San Francisco. Jack first pastored in Tracy, California and then pastored in San Martin, California. His final pastoral position was in Livingston, California. During his pastoring years, he traveled to the Ukraine on a mission trip, which was an unforgettable experience for him. Over the course of his years in ministry, Jack performed many weddings, baptisms, funeral and memorial services. He visited the sick, prayed with the brokenhearted, and most importantly led many to receive the Lord.

Upon retiring at the age of 65, Jack and Earlene moved into their home on Belcher Road in Merced, California. Jack had an amazing workshop with many tools and gadgets. He and his wife enjoyed their quiet life there growing fruit on their humble acre of land and welcoming any family or friends who would stop by. 2015 Jack started showing signs of dementia and after a few years moved back to Borrego Springs in 2018 to be closer to family.

Jack was a great mechanic and shop tinkerer. He enjoyed all kinds of music and had a sweet singing voice.

Remaining to cherish Jack’s memory are his wife Earlene, five children, 1 favorite daughter-in-law, 2 sons-in-law, seven grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. He leaves his brother Henry Aaron, sisters Betty Louise and Janet Darlene, his many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death is his daughter, Laura, granddaughter, Denay Lynn, his parents, Henry Aaron Sr, Lucy Cordelia, his brothers, Wayne and Butch, and sisters Ramona Dean and Carolyn. Preceding him in death also are his brothers-in-law Donald Ralph, Ronald Shmitt, and Ivy Lee Hibdon, sister-in-law Audrey May Hibdon. His nieces Donna Luckeroth, Becky Barling, and Tia Chenay.

Military honors will be held at Bakersfield National Cemetery at a future date.

Memorial donations in Jack Barling’s name may be directed to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and/or Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Memorial services will be held March 8, 2025, at 1 PM at The Christian Center in Borrego Springs:

675 Weathervane Dr.
Borrego Springs, CA 92004

Cards may be addressed to:
The Christian Center
PO Box 2429
Borrego Springs, CA 92004

Bonham Bros. & Stewart Mortuary and Cremation Service is assisting the family.

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