Barry James Quimby

Barry James Quimby, age 81 of Granger, Indiana passed away on May 7, 2023, at the Center for Hospice, Raclin House with his family by his side. Barry was born on June 23, 1941, in South Bend, Indiana to the late Lester Eugene and Flora Belle Quimby. Barry was a graduate of Adams High School and obtained his bachelor’s and master's degrees in education from Indiana University Bloomington.  Later, he attended the University of Texas while working on his PhD. in education. Throughout his life, Barry was passionate about teaching and mentoring young lives, which was evident through his work history and involvement in education throughout the years. While teaching in Zambia, he met Janet Wilson and their love blossomed.  They were married on July 27, 1968, in Lusaka, Zambia.

Barry is survived by his loving wife of nearly 55 years, Janet Quimby of Granger, and their daughters Abigail "Abby" (Mike) Bracken of Elkhart, Belinda (Scott Rackers) Quimby of St. Louis, Missouri, and Camilla (E.W. Lawrence Jr.) Shaw of Granger, Indiana, along with their grandchildren Sophie and Will Shaw. Barry also leaves behind his brother Donald (Beverly) Quimby of Noblesville, Indiana, a niece Susan (Andrew) Alcorn of Indianapolis, Indiana, his nephews Steve (Susan) Quimby of Indianapolis, Indiana and Mike (Melissa) Quimby of Boulder, Colorado, his brother-in-law Shane Wilson, and his sister-in-law Denise Swift, both of Melbourne, Australia. He was preceded in death by his brother Tommy Quimby and nephew Jeffrey Quimby.

Friends and family may visit 2 hours prior to the 12:00 pm celebration of life for Barry on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Cruz Family Funeral Home, Osceola, Indiana.  For those unable to attend, a livestream of his service will begin at 11:50 am and may be viewed in real time in the video window below.

As a child, Barry worked with his father and brother at their family's bait shop in South Bend. This early exposure to hard work and dedication would shape his future endeavors. Barry later joined the Peace Corps taking him to Kenya where he taught at Thompson Falls and Nakuru High Schools from 1964-1966. His love for teaching continued as he taught biology and chemistry and became the Superintendent of the International School of Lusaka, Zambia. Eventually, Barry moved back to the South Bend area to serve as a consultant in the audio-visual technology field with Burke's Audio Visual. When Janet became homesick, Barry took a teaching position once again at Hallam Senior College in Australia. Upon their return to the United States, he transitioned into a financial manager role for Jordan Ford in Mishawaka, where he spent several years until his retirement in 2003.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Barry enjoyed a variety of hobbies, including gardening, woodworking, and photography. He later learned to crochet, using his newfound skill to create baby blankets and knit caps for infants in local hospitals, as well as shawls and blankets for cancer patients. Barry's generosity and kindness touched the lives of many and will be remembered by all who knew him.

Barry’s dedication to education, his family, and the community will not be forgotten. The impact he made on the lives of those around him will continue to be felt for years to come, and his memory will live on in the hearts of his family and friends.

Donations in Barry's memory may be made to either St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or American Kidney Fund. To light a virtual candle, share a story of his life, or leave a message of comfort for Barry’s family, please follow the links provided on the tribute wall tab above. 

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