John Walker  "Jack" Barriger, IV Skokie, Illinois Obituary

John Walker "Jack" Barriger, IV

Our hero, John Walker “Jack” Barriger IV, passed away Nov. 20, 2020 at home in Kenilworth, Illinois from liver disease. He lived a joyful 93 years. Jack was, as one of his nieces describes him: “Truly the best of us.” His ever-positive outlook on life and his kindness and generosity of spirit were a gift to all who knew him. He particularly enjoyed spending time with his seven grandchildren, all of whom adored him. Jack was an enthusiastic sailor, skier, runner, golfer and traveler and an active parishioner at Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity Church in Winnetka. Born Aug. 3, 1927 in St. Louis, Jack was the eldest of four children born to John III and Elizabeth Thatcher Barriger. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1949 and Yale Graduate School of Transportation Economics in 1950. Jack then began a 36-year career with the Santa Fe Railway, becoming a third generation railroader, serving 18 years in the Operating Department and 18 years in the Executive Department. After his retirement from the Santa Fe, Jack continued his railroad career as a consultant, working on projects for several clients. Based on the collections of his late father, Jack founded the John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library in St. Louis in 1984, one of the nation’s largest and finest railroad history collections, and of which he was rightfully very proud. Jack remained a trustee of the library until his death. He served two terms as Trustee for the Village of Kenilworth. He was a Trustee of Landmarks Illinois for 20 years, chairing its committee to save the the Reliance Building in Chicago’s Loop. He also served on the board of the Hegeler Carus Foundation (publisher of the children’s magazine “Highlights”, among other titles) in LaSalle, IL. Jack is survived by a son, John Barriger V of Kenilworth, IL, a daughter Catherine (Adam) Dunsby of Easton, Conn., and seven grandchildren: John VI, David and Elizabeth Barriger and Caroline, John, Claire and Thomas Dunsby, as well as two sisters-in-law and many beloved nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Evelyn Dobson Barriger, whom he lovingly nursed through her passing from brain cancer in 2014, and all three of his younger siblings: Elizabeth Barriger, Ann Barriger Salyard (Robert), and Stanley Barriger (Cindy). A private Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 27, 2020, 10:00 a.m. at Saints Faith, Hope & Charity, 191 Linden Avenue, Winnetka, IL 60093. Jack will be buried next to his beloved Evie at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, where we will honor his wishes and pour Scotch on his grave Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we are unable to gather at this time. Jack adored a party, so we will celebrate his joyful life with extended family and friends at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library, which is housed at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. <a href=http://www.umsl.edu/mercantile/barriger/>http://www.umsl.edu/mercantile/barriger/</a> We are grateful to have had him give us our roots, and now God has given him his wings. To watch the Funeral Mass, <a href="https://vimeo.com/482838248">CLICK HERE</a> Info: donnellanfuneral.com or (847) 675-1990 <iframe class="ts_player" allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameborder="0" height="330" scrolling="no" src="https://www.tributeslides.com/videos/embedded_video/KP55X72RNRJ3S2H7" width="512"></iframe>
August 3, 1927 - November 20, 202008/03/192711/20/2020
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John Walker  "Jack" Barriger, IV
John Walker "Jack" Barriger, IV

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Obituary

Our hero, John Walker “Jack” Barriger IV, passed away Nov. 20, 2020 at home in Kenilworth, Illinois from liver disease. He lived a joyful 93 years. Jack was, as one of his nieces describes him: “Truly the best of us.” His ever-positive outlook on life and his kindness and generosity of spirit were a gift to all who knew him. He particularly enjoyed spending time with his seven grandchildren, all of whom adored him. Jack was an enthusiastic sailor, skier, runner, golfer and traveler and an active parishioner at Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity Church in Winnetka. Born Aug. 3, 1927 in St. Louis, Jack was the eldest of four children born to John III and Elizabeth Thatcher Barriger. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1949 and Yale Graduate School of Transportation Economics in 1950. Jack then began a 36-year career with the Santa Fe Railway, becoming a third generation railroader, serving 18 years in the Operating Department and 18 years in the Executive Department. After his retirement from the Santa Fe, Jack continued his railroad career as a consultant, working on projects for several clients. Based on the collections of his late father, Jack founded the John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library in St. Louis in 1984, one of the nation’s largest and finest railroad history collections, and of which he was rightfully very proud. Jack remained a trustee of the library until his death. He served two terms as Trustee for the Village of Kenilworth. He was a Trustee of Landmarks Illinois for 20 years, chairing its committee to save the the Reliance Building in Chicago’s Loop. He also served on the board of the Hegeler Carus Foundation (publisher of the children’s magazine “Highlights”, among other titles) in LaSalle, IL. Jack is survived by a son, John Barriger V of Kenilworth, IL, a daughter Catherine (Adam) Dunsby of Easton, Conn., and seven grandchildren: John VI, David and Elizabeth Barriger and Caroline, John, Claire and Thomas Dunsby, as well as two sisters-in-law and many beloved nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Evelyn Dobson Barriger, whom he lovingly nursed through her passing from brain cancer in 2014, and all three of his younger siblings: Elizabeth Barriger, Ann Barriger Salyard (Robert), and Stanley Barriger (Cindy). A private Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 27, 2020, 10:00 a.m. at Saints Faith, Hope & Charity, 191 Linden Avenue, Winnetka, IL 60093. Jack will be buried next to his beloved Evie at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, where we will honor his wishes and pour Scotch on his grave Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we are unable to gather at this time. Jack adored a party, so we will celebrate his joyful life with extended family and friends at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library, which is housed at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. http://www.umsl.edu/mercantile/barriger/ We are grateful to have had him give us our roots, and now God has given him his wings. To watch the Funeral Mass, CLICK HERE Info: donnellanfuneral.com or (847) 675-1990

Events

Nov
27
Private Funeral Mass
Friday, November 27 2020
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
SS. Faith Hope & Charity Church
191 Linden Street
Winnetka, IL 60093
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Nov
27
Private Interment
Friday, November 27 2020
11:45 AM
Memorial Park Cemetery
9900 Gross Point Road
Skokie, IL 60076
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Final Resting Place
Memorial Park Cemetery
9900 Gross Point Road
Skokie, IL 60076
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Memorial Contributions

John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library c/o University of Missouri, St. Louis
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