Not a career politician; a man who serves country, community, and God.
EARLY LIFE
Jerry was born and raised in New Madrid and Pemiscot counties in the Missouri Bootheel in the town of Portageville. His family farmed in the area, raising cotton, corn, and other crops. Jerry’s parents also owned and operated several full-service gas stations and garages during his childhood and young adult hood. Working in the cotton fields and tending the family service stations instilled a work ethic Jerry carries with him today. His parents raised 4 boys, Larry, Gary, Jerry, and Terry. All the Barham boys proudly served in the military during the VIETNAM era. Larry, the oldest, was killed in action during the Vietnam war in 1968. Larry’s life, and death, had a profound impact on Jerry’s life moving forward.
MILITARY SERVICE
Jerry joined the US Navy in 1968, wanting to serve as his older brother had. He attended Boot Camp at the Great Lakes Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois. From 1968-74, based out of Naval Station N.A.S. Miramar in San Diego, CA., Jerry served on two aircraft carriers- CV-64 USS CONSTELLATION in VIETNAM IN 1970-71 and CVN-65 USS ENTERPRISE on the AROUND THE HORN CRUISE. While shipboard, Jerry was a FLIGHTDECK TROUBLESHOOTER for V.F. 142 PHANTOM F-4 Aircraft Squadron tagged the GHOST RIDERS. His last year of military service was spent in N.A.S. Beeville, Texas where he served with Base Sea-Bee Squad, obtaining rank of AMH-E5. Jerry considers his military service as an honor and often says he would do it all again in a heartbeat.
BUSINESSMAN
After his naval service, Jerry settled in Kansas City, Missouri, often working several jobs to support his young family. In 1979, Jerry and business partner, Mike Ruff, founded Missouri Poster and Sign Co. Inc. They began the business in a garage, building it from the ground up while maintaining other full-time jobs. They grew Missouri Poster into a successful printing and advertising business serving area and national companies for 40 plus years in N. Kansas City, Missouri. Over the years, Missouri Poster provided jobs for many local Missourians. Missouri Poster was also an outlet for Jerry’s generosity as he donated many printed products to organizations he believed in, such as schools, charities, churches, and youth groups.
SERVICE
While Jerry ran Missouri Poster, he continued to serve his community on a greater level. In 1990, he was elected to the MISSOURI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES for the 29th District. In 2010, Jerry was elected and served on the N. KANSAS CITY city council.
Jerry was also an active member of the Rotary Club. In addition, his Christian faith lead him to volunteer at the local Methodist Church that provided free lunches for local high school students in North Kansas City. Never losing his love of aircraft from his time in the Navy, Jerry volunteered many hours and donated many signs to the annual KANSAS CITY AIRSHOW. He also served several years on the BOARD OF DIRECTORS for the KANSAS CITY AIRSHOW.
Jerry’s love of his country and desire to honor veterans inspired him to host the TRAVELING VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL WALL- THE WALL THAT HEALS. In 2012, Jerry organized, financially sponsored, and worked beside North Kansas City High School, the VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS, VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, the AMERICAN LEGION, and several other service organizations to bring the TRAVELING VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL WALL to N. Kansas City. The TRAVELING WALL is a scale model of the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. Etched in the granite memorial are the names of each of the 58,000 plus men and women, including Jerry’s brother, Larry, who died during the Vietnam War while protecting the United States of America.
CURRENTLY
Jerry retired from Missouri Poster in 2015. Jerry stays active by volunteering with Wild Souls Wildlife Rescue and Rehab in Oak Grove, a non profit operating under the guidance of Missouri Department of Conservation, following local and national issues, and advocating for military veterans whenever he can. He enjoys classic cars, gardening, and time spent with family.
Economy
Before COVID-19 wreaked havoc on the global economy, President Trump achieved miraculous victories in global trade and economic revitalization. America reclaimed its seat at the table. We renegotiated trade deals that hurt our country for decades and cut senseless regulations that made it difficult for businesses to thrive. Then Biden came along and replaced all this economic progress with inflation and astronomical gas prices. He closed the Keystone pipeline, and now pays Russia and other foreign countries for oil! We need to change these ludicrous policies! We cannot afford to send people to congress who don’t support the America First Agenda. As a small business for 40 years, you can believe I am ready to do what it takes to put our economy back on the right track for our American families and workers.
Veterans
In 1968, my family lost my oldest brother, Larry, in Vietnam. Later that year, I joined the Navy and served our country for six years, doing two tours in Vietnam. My mother, father, and my two veteran brothers have seen the sacrifices our heroes make firsthand. We need to create more programs to help our veterans gets job and increase access to the VA hospital system and psychological care to make sure all our veterans get the care they deserve after serving our country.
China & Russia
Russia and communist China, have been nothing but bad actors. Whether it is stealing American jobs, introducing global pandemics, trying to undermine our progress in the Middle East, or attacking Ukraine these nations have repeatedly shown they are no friend of the United States or any other country. We need to elect people to congress who will not allow China or Russia to bring the curtains over their eyes, and consistently hold them accountable for the heinous acts they commit.
The first responsibility of government is protecting its citizens. If we don’t provide our troops with funding and necessary tools to keep America’s enemies at bay, our adversaries will only become more emboldened. We need to elect strong leaders who will maintain a Peace Through Strength Mentality.
