Obituary for James Barry Keith Goode

Notable Appalachian author and historian, James Barry Keith Goode passed away into eternal life on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at his home in Lynch, KY. He was born August 8, 1948, at his home at 342 Poplar Street in Benham, KY. His grandmother Fannie Bea Brasher delivered him at 8:30 a.m. Barry, as he was known to his family and friends was preceded in death by his parents Geneva Parsons and James C. Goode; sister Sandra Bricker, maternal grandparents Fannie Bea Brasher and James Skelt Parsons; paternal grandparents Larkin Andrew Goode and Idaho Missouri Patterson.

He is survived by his son Jamie Goode and wife Candice Swanner Goode, his grandsons, Larkin Alexander Goode and James Luke Goode. He is also survived by special caregiver Teresa Boggs whom he loved very much. He also survived by his sister; Amelia (Amy) Goode Boye and husband Mike Boye, sister Candace Goode Hale and husband Rick Hale, brother Jonathan Goode and wife Peggy Delph Goode, and a host of special nieces and nephews.

Barry was a Professor Emeritus, having taught for 44 years. Barry started his teaching career with Moore High School in Louisville, KY in 1970. Barry returned home and started his career with Southeast Community College in 1972 and was there until 1995. While at Southeast he was Professor of English, Speech, and Appalachian Studies and was the Director of The Appalachian Center Archives and Gallery, as well as other positions. Barry left Southeast in 1995 and became Professor and Associate Director of The Appalachian Center at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Barry finished his career with Lexington Community College and Bluegrass Community & Technical College where he was Professor of English and Coordinator of Tutorial Services, as well as other positions. Barry was especially proud of having established the Southeast Community College Appalachian Archive which has extensive holdings of photographs, video history, oral audio history, paper artifacts, film, etc. related to coal mining in eastern Kentucky and he was instrumental in the building and oversight for The Appalachian Center, a facility constructed to house these collections. Barry was the sole author of 10 books, had stories and articles published in 4 books, and edited and published 2 other books. Barry had over 300 poems, numerous short stories, essays, and articles published in national and international magazines and newspapers.

Barry was a strong advocate for education and strongly believed it was the key to a bright future for many of his students. Barry was a graduate of Murray State University with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing: Fiction. He had Master of Arts from the University of Kentucky in (English & Humanities/Education), and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Kentucky in (English & Humanities/Education). He also had an Associate of Arts from the University of Kentucky in (English). Barry also attended the University of Chicago on a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship in English & Humanities) where he worked on his doctorate. While working on his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Kentucky, Barry received the John W. Oswald Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research and Creativity.

Barry was a man of many talents. Over the course of his life some of his hobbies and interests were guitar player, dulcimer player, genealogist, historian, photographer, metal sculpture artist, farmer, rock climber, white-water rafter, firefighter, council member for the City of Benham, fisherman, motorcycle enthusiast, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and many more. The hobbies that he pursued throughout his life were fishing, photography, and his love of motorcycles. Barry dedicated his life in service to the Appalachia region and its people, writing about coal miners, the culture, history, and the wonderful people of this area. He will be sorely missed, and the region has lost a great resource. To paraphrase one of Barry's poems called "Crickets in the Grave Flowers" he says: "When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground…, Today a library burned, and I felt useless to start another. But he would have demanded it.  "Look at the volumes you already have!"  He'd say.  "Rebuild, rebuild, rebuild."

Barry's wishes were that he be cremated and there will be a Celebration of Life on April 15, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Tri-City Funeral Home in Benham, KY. In lieu of flowers the family is asking that you make donations to the Knights Templar Educational Foundation at the following address:

Grand Commandery of Kentucky

P.O. Box 481

Williamsburg, KY. 40769

Make checks payable to: Knights Templar Educational Foundation