John was born March 12, 1949, the oldest of six sons of John Michael and Josephine Joseph Barkett. He grew up on the North Side of Youngstown until the family crossed the city line to Liberty Township in 1958. John graduated from Liberty High School and Youngstown State University.

He had a successful career in medical sales, capping off 30-plus years at Picker, General Electric and Fuji Medical, specifically focused on radiological (MRI, X-Rays, CT) equipment for government (VA and DoD) accounts, both overseas and across the U.S. John would always coach that “the head bone is connected to the heart bone…you have to build relationships with people.” His dedication to “saving lives,” along with his charismatic approach, garnered him quite a few awards and letters of recognition from senior military and civilian leaders alike. His son followed in his footsteps, also pursuing a career in health care.

John is survived by his wife of 48 years, Georgia Deborah Elash Barkett, whom he met at YSU, where John was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity; and his son, Brent and wife Sandra of Phoenix, Ariz., along with their two children, Olivia, 4 years old, and Amelia, 1 year, who affectionately refer to John as “Dzedo.” John also is survived by his brothers, Keith, Brian (Maureen), Neal (Carol) and Drew (Rose), and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

John was the oldest brother and was just 22 when his mother died. He had been the patriarch of the Barkett family ever since, always caring for and putting the best interests of his wife and son, his brothers and extended family, as well as his community, before himself.

John cared about his community, actively serving the greater Youngstown area in different capacities. He believed in being a bridge builder, connecting people. He was involved in several community committees and volunteered his time and money generously. As president of the football booster’s “Gridiron Club,” he garnered recognition and awards for the teams and parents. During his time managing the inner-city youth “Scout Reach” program, he made better the lives of inner-city youth, earning him one of the Boy Scouts highest honors, the Silver Beaver Award for his servant leadership and volunteering actions. His work through the YSU Athletics Department, as both a member of the Ice Castle, as well as The Penguin Club, helped to improve the scholastic experience of the Youngstown State student athlete. At Pymatuning Lake, he was elected commodore and took to improving the enjoyment of the reservoir for its sailors and families.

John also was known for smaller acts of kindness, covertly stopping to chat at the local pizza shop, tipping $20 weekly to a kind friend or installing a personally crafted “Slow Down” sign on city property, alerting drivers for the safety of nearby neighborhood kids.

John was a jack-of-all-trades. John enjoyed the camaraderie of his tennis pals, the solitude of fly fishing and making homemade flies in his basement camp, catching the wind sailing, cooking for 20-plus friends and family, planting and landscaping his yard, or enjoying a kite lesson or two with his granddaughters and neighborhood kids. He always enjoyed the company of others and others enjoyed his company as well.

John was preceded in death by his mother, Josephine; father, John; brother, Bradley; and countless family and friends.

Private services will be held at a later date to celebrate the life of John B. Barkett.

John’s family will be establishing an education fund at YSU that can accept your donations in John’s name at a later date.

Arrangements are being handled by the Davis-Becker Funeral Home in Boardman. Condolences may be sent at www.beckerobits.com.

(special notice)

John B. Barkett 1949-2020

BOARDMAN — John Blaine Barkett, 71, passed away suddenly Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. He was with his wife, son, daughter-in-law and granddaughters in Phoenix, Ariz.

John was born March 12, 1949, the oldest of six sons of John Michael and Josephine Joseph Barkett. He grew up on the North Side of Youngstown until the family crossed the city line to Liberty Township in 1958. John graduated from Liberty High School and Youngstown State University.

He had a successful career in medical sales, capping off 30-plus years at Picker, General Electric and Fuji Medical, specifically focused on radiological (MRI, X-Rays, CT) equipment for government (VA and DoD) accounts, both overseas and across the U.S. John would always coach that “the head bone is connected to the heart bone…you have to build relationships with people.” His dedication to “saving lives,” along with his charismatic approach, garnered him quite a few awards and letters of recognition from senior military and civilian leaders alike. His son followed in his footsteps, also pursuing a career in health care.

John is survived by his wife of 48 years, Georgia Deborah Elash Barkett, whom he met at YSU, where John was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity; and his son, Brent and wife Sandra of Phoenix, Ariz., along with their two children, Olivia, 4 years old, and Amelia, 1 year, who affectionately refer to John as “Dzedo.” John also is survived by his brothers, Keith, Brian (Maureen), Neal (Carol) and Drew (Rose), and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

John was the oldest brother and was just 22 when his mother died. He had been the patriarch of the Barkett family ever since, always caring for and putting the best interests of his wife and son, his brothers and extended family, as well as his community, before himself.

John cared about his community, actively serving the greater Youngstown area in different capacities. He believed in being a bridge builder, connecting people. He was involved in several community committees and volunteered his time and money generously. As president of the football booster’s “Gridiron Club,” he garnered recognition and awards for the teams and parents. During his time managing the inner-city youth “Scout Reach” program, he made better the lives of inner-city youth, earning him one of the Boy Scouts highest honors, the Silver Beaver Award for his servant leadership and volunteering actions. His work through the YSU Athletics Department, as both a member of the Ice Castle, as well as The Penguin Club, helped to improve the scholastic experience of the Youngstown State student athlete. At Pymatuning Lake, he was elected commodore and took to improving the enjoyment of the reservoir for its sailors and families.

John also was known for smaller acts of kindness, covertly stopping to chat at the local pizza shop, tipping $20 weekly to a kind friend or installing a personally crafted “Slow Down” sign on city property, alerting drivers for the safety of nearby neighborhood kids.

John was a jack-of-all-trades. John enjoyed the camaraderie of his tennis pals, the solitude of fly fishing and making homemade flies in his basement camp, catching the wind sailing, cooking for 20-plus friends and family, planting and landscaping his yard, or enjoying a kite lesson or two with his granddaughters and neighborhood kids. He always enjoyed the company of others and others enjoyed his company as well.

John was preceded in death by his mother, Josephine; father, John; brother, Bradley; and countless family and friends.

Private services will be held at a later date to celebrate the life of John B. Barkett.

John’s family will be establishing an education fund at YSU that can accept your donations in John’s name at a later date.

Arrangements are being handled by the Davis-Becker Funeral Home in Boardman. Condolences may be sent at www.beckerobits.com.

(special notice)