Fortified with the sacraments of the Holy Mother Church, John R. Barge, Sr. was born October 7, 1951 in St. Louis, Missouri to the late Jesse and Mary (nee Audrain) Barge and passed away at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, MO on April 16, 2021 as the result of complications from ischemic infarctions.
John was united in matrimony to Patricia (nee Irvine) on February 12, 1972. Patti and their cherished pet therapy dog, Gertrude, survive of the home. Of their union were born two children, Margaret (Maggi) Rimel (nee Barge) of St. Louis, MO and John (Jake) Barge, Jr. (Lisa) of Sherwood, OR.
In addition to his wife and children, John had three grandchildren: Gabriel Rimel, Olivia Barge and Stella Barge. His siblings include Jesse (Cindy) Barge of Murphysboro, IL; Leila (Glenn) Caulkins (nee: Barge) of Gunnison, CO; William (Amy) Barge of St. Louis, MO; and Michael Barge of Gunnison, CO. He has several neices and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents.
John graduated from St. Louis-based Parkway Central High School in 1970 where he played on the golf and soccer teams. He earned his Eagle Scout rank at the age of 14 and served as a member of the Order of the Arrow.
John became the youngest PGA head golf professional in the history of the State of Illinois in 1975. He and his family moved to Dexter, MO in 1985 when he accepted the head golf pro and general manager position at Hidden Trails Country Club. John managed Hidden Trails until 2003 and returned in 2009 until he retired in 2016. He was most proud of building junior golf programs and instilling in younger players a love for the game and its rules. John maintained, "if you will cheat in golf, you will cheat in life."
Outside of professional sports, John was an avid follower of the stock market and politics. He won more trivia games than he lost and was a gifted writer and orator.
A Resurrection Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dexter, MO. The Right of Christian Burial will follow at Chalk Bluff Cemetery. A bereavement luncheon at Sacred Heart's Parish Center will conclude the day's events.
Please follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Those unable to attend can view the mass via livestream. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to 18 Fore Life, c/o Scott Kruse, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter, Missouri 63841.
Mathis Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
