John Blaine Barkett

John Barkett passed away suddenly on Wednesday, December 15th, 2020 after 71 years of life. He was with his wife, son, daughter-in-law and granddaughters in Phoenix, Arizona.
John was born on March 12, 1949, the oldest of six sons of John Michael and Josephine (Joseph) Barkett. He grew up on the Northside of Youngstown until the family crossed the city line to Liberty Township, OH 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 healthcare.
John is survived by his wife of 48 years, Georgia Deborah (Elash) Barkett and his son, Brent. John and Georgia met while at YSU together where John was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. Brent and wife Sandra, along with their two children, Olivia 4 years old and Amelia 1 year, who affectionately refer to John as “Dzedo,” currently live in Phoenix, AZ.  John is also survived by his brothers, Keith, Brian (Maureen), Neal (Carol), Drew (Rose); and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. John was the oldest brother and was just twenty-two when his mother died. He has 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 boosters “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 was also 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 comradery of his tennis pals, the solitude of fly fishing and making homemade fly’s in his basement camp, catching the wind sailing, cooking for 20+ 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 is preceded in death by his mother, Josephine and 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.