James "Jim" Barnaba, age 89, of Newark, passed away peacefully May 28, 2025, at The Courtyard of Newark. Jim was born on June 24, 1935, in Marietta, Ohio to the late Joseph A. and Luella M. (Bosner) Barnaba.

Jim grew up in Huntington, WV, graduated from Marshall Lab School, and earned a BA in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio University, Athens. He then served in the United States Air Force in uniform and worked 30 years as a civilian at Newark's Aerospace Guidance and Metrology Center, retiring in 1992.

Jim enjoyed roller skating, skate dancing and racing throughout his life and could often be seen on Newark's bike paths; until health led him to switch to recumbent biking. He was also an avid water skier, member of Buckeye Lake Ski Demons, and was proud of the fact that he taught many people to water ski over the years. He also volunteered at the Newark Crisis Center (now Pathways) and was a lifelong ham radio operator.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Marian F. (Adams) Barnaba whom he met roller skating in Huntington.

Jim is survived by his loving children, Tom (Cheryl) Barnaba, Joe (Marla) Barnaba, Jim (Lorie) Barnaba; grandchildren, Lindsey Singleton, Kyle (Hannah) Barnaba, Kaitlyn (Kyle) Wilson, Andrea (Peter) Meuse, Meagan (Michael) Hamanaka, Jennifer (Steven Lasiter) Barnaba and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Family will receive friends on Friday June 6, 2025, from 11:00 to 1:00 at Brucker & Kishler Funeral Home, with services following at 1 pm with an officiant from First United Methodist Church. Burial will then take place in Newark Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to either Hospice of Central Ohio, 2269 Cherry Valley Road SE, Newark or Pathways of Licking County, 1627 Bryn Mawr Drive, Newark.