John Barksdale

John "Jack" R. Barksdale, 62, passed away in Grand Junction, Colorado, on December 28, 2008, while surrounded by his loving wife, children, brother and mother. He died from injuries suffered in an automobile accident near Craig, Colorado.
John was a humble, private man, who balanced his diverse passions in life with remarkable success. John loved sports from childhood and lettered in high school wrestling and football. He earned a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Colorado in 1969. John's adventurousness temporarily took him to Naval flight school, but he eventually decided to attend law school. John graduated from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 1973. He would go on to serve his country as a federal prosecutor and one of the first employees in the Casper branch of the U.S. Attorney's Office. In 1992, John was appointed Criminal Chief, and in that capacity he supervised 15 federal prosecutors throughout the State. John was widely respected for his fairness, hard work, and integrity. He was a conscientious steward of the public trust and represented the very best of public service. He loved his work and treated his colleagues as part of his extended family.
Throughout his demanding and distinguished legal career, John's devotion to his family never wavered. No matter what, they always came first. John and Sheryl Clapp married on August 26, 1972. They had two wonderful children together, Brian and Jennifer. John was a devoted son who would call his mother every morning on his way to work. He was a loving husband who attended to his warm home and looked forward to retirement and many more adventures with Sheryl, the kids, and grandkids. He was a proud father who followed his children throughout their lives, making time to see each of their school and sporting events. John was especially proud of Brian's devotion to the Marine Corps. In the last years of his life, John joyfully played with his grandchildren and proudly gave his daughter Jennifer away in marriage. John was loved and appreciated for his kindness, generosity, thoughtfulness, reliability, and loyalty.
John was rarely far from a camera, but later in life he became a bona fide photographer. Many of his photographs appeared in the newspaper. He integrated his talent for photography and interest in athletics taking countless sports action photos. He shared this hobby with his son, Brian. Although John and Brian were sometimes separated by great distances, the love of photography and the photos they shared always kept them close. John was passionate about life. His photos captured the beauty of life's details.

John was a member of the Casper Photography Association and Platte River Gun Club. He was a member and past Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas R. Barksdale. He is survived by Sheryl, his wife of 36 years; son Brian and daughter-in-law Heidi, grandchildren Kameran, Mackenzi, Nathanael and Sabastean Barksdale of Camp Lejeune (USMC), North Carolina; Daughter Jennifer and son-in-law Cory Buelt of Casper; Mother Polly Barksdale of Grand Junction, Colorado; Brother Rod, sister-in-law Collette and nephew Mike Barksdale of Glenwood Springs, Colorado and an extended loving family of many.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Casper, Wyoming. A memorial service will be held at Highland Park Church on January 5, 2009, at 1:00pm. Newcomer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.