M J Barger

Obituary: M. J. "Jerry" Barger M.J. Barger passed away unexpectedly celebrating our country's independence on Tuesday, July 4, 2017, just several months shy of his 95th birthday. M.J. was born in Faith, NC on October 5, 1922 to the late W. S. and Mamie Barger. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, P.A. Barger, and two sisters, Willette Barger Faulkenberry and Mary Elizabeth Barger White. His wife of nearly 73 years, Juanita Williams Barger, passed away May 21, 2016. Survivors include his daughter Suzanne Barger Nystrom (Lars) of Stallings, son William Scott Barger (Nancy) of Kannapolis, grandchildren Elizabeth Huggins Benning (Dennis) and son Jett of Charlotte, Ali Barger Farabee (Brandon), son Tucker and daughter Emme of Kannapolis, William Matt Barger of Charlotte and Andrew Nystrom (Aimee) and family of Omaha, NE. M.J. grew up the youngest of four children in Kannapolis, NC, where he graduated from J. W. Cannon High School in 1939. After attending Pfeiffer College for one year, he joined the Navy and proudly served during WWII as a Navy pilot. He was recalled again to active duty during the Cuban Crisis, and was honorably discharged in 1962 as a Lt. Commander. After the military, M.J. and P.A. ran Barger Grocery for several years. Still sharing his love for flying, he then went to work as an Air Traffic Controller at Charlotte Douglas Airport. Upon his retirement from The Tower, he turned his hobby of lawn maintenance into a full-time job, taking on the responsibility of becoming the neighborhood "go-to" guy for any lawn or home maintenance need. M.J. also volunteered much of his time to Meals on Wheels where he and Juanita shared honors for more than 35 years of dedicated service. Until his death, M.J. was still very active in the American Legion, Beaver-Pittman Post 115, serving in many roles and as Commander in 1990. He was member of the distinguished QBs (Quiet Birdmen) organization, and enjoyed attending the Kannapolis History Associates meetings. M.J. was a long time member of St. John's Reformed Church, where he served in many roles during his lifetime. M.J. was part of the "Greatest Generation", always asking "is there anything I can do for you?" He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. A celebration of M.J.'s wonderful life will be held Monday, July 10 at 12:00 PM at St. John's Reformed Church, Kannapolis. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:30 AM-12:00 PM in the church sanctuary. Whitley's Funeral Home is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Reformed Church 901 N. Main St., Kannapolis, NC 28081 or to the charity of one's choice.
Visitation: 10:30 to 12:00 PM Monday July 10, 2017 St. John's Reformed Church

Service: 12:00 PM Monday July 10, 2017 St. John's Reformed Church

Interment: --