James Barks

MARBLE HILL, Mo. — James Oliver Barks, 93, of Poplar Bluff passed away peacefully with family by his side Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 at Southeast Health in Cape Girardeau.

Mr. Barks was born June 10, 1927 in Chaffee to Howard Russell and Esther Groves Barks. He graduated from Cape Girardeau High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving onboard the minesweeper USS Strategy. After returning home from WWII, he was a butcher and grocer at the family’s Barks Market in Cape Girardeau. He married Dorothy Emma Schmidt Dec. 14, 1952 in Dike, Iowa. He served as a deputy with the Cape County Sheriff’s Department before joining the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Troop F, stationed at the Lake of the Ozarks. He moved to Poplar Bluff with his young family in 1970 and opened the Pizza Inn with his brother Richard. Rumor has it he created the taco pizza. He also started the Burger Shoppe, Bootheel Mobile Sign and Bootheel Sign Company

He married Helen Freed Zielinski June 18, 1980 in Pekin, Illinois.

He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church. He enjoyed quail hunting, fishing, gardening and spending time with his grandchildren, doing his darnedest to teach them right from wrong.

He is survived by his three children: Kirk Barks (Marilyn), of Millersville, Missouri, Kendal Barks (Debi), and Debbie Winters (Tom), all of Poplar Bluff, and one stepdaughter, Linda Heilscher (Tom) of House Springs, Missouri; three grandchildren: Christopher Barks (Amber) of Madison, Alabama, Kyle West of Ballwin, Missouri, Cameron West of Kirkwood, Missouri; four step-grandchildren: Tiffany Barker (Lindle) and Jeremy West of Poplar Bluff, Carly Compton and Lilly Compton of House Springs, Missouri, six step-great grandchildren: Serena and Lyanna Baer of Osaka, Japan, Brantly James and Landon Barker of Poplar Bluff and Jack West and Ben West of DuQuoin, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Kenneth and Richard, and wives Dorothy and Helen

A ceremony will be held at the Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery in Bloomfield at 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7.

Liley Funeral Homes in Marble Hill is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences can be made on our website Lileyfuneralhomes.com.