James Monroe Barnard of Clermont, Florida passed away on June 15, 2026 surrounded by loving family members.

Monroe was born in Patterson, Pierce County, Georgia February 13, 1934. He lived in Patterson until 1952 when he graduated from Patterson High School. He went on to college and while earning his degree at Georgia Southern College, Statesboro, Georgia he married the love of his life, Betty Ruth Davis in June of 1954. He accepted the call of his Lord into the ministry and served several churches in Georgia before moving his family to Mill Valley, California where he attended Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Tiburon. Monroe graduated in 1966 earning his Masters of Divinity. After graduation the family moved back to Georgia before being called to a church in Florida then to Euclid Avenue Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. From Knoxville the family moved to Clermont, Florida where Monroe was called to pastor the First Baptist Church of Clermont in 1970, for 12 years. From Clermont, he served other churches until retirement. Later he was called out of retirement to serve Ferndale Baptist Church until his second retirement. Monroe also served as chaplain in various hospitals during his ministries. Altogether, he served his Lord and Savior 65 years.

Monroe is survived by two daughters, Karen B. (Randy) Jones; Michele B Pines (Greg Amann); four grandchildren, Bryan (Tina) Bowerman; Jonathan (Colleen) Bowerman; Sierra B (Richard) Patterson; Hayley P. Ames (Cameron); Five great grandchildren, Mia B Farr, Roan D Patterson: Natalia, Isabella, and Lucas Bowerman; one sister Earnestine Dixon, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Betty Barnard, his parents Lewis J. and Zoie Strickland Barnard; three brothers, L.J., McKinley, and Thomas J. Barnard; three sisters, Beatrice Crosby, Jewell Hardee, and Mildred Brewer.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Memorial donations be given in Monroe's name to Ferndale Baptist Church/Sugarloaf Church and The Neighborhood Center of South Lake.