James “Jim” Russell Barbour, 87, of Winooski, Vt., died on March 15, 2026, of COVID pneumonia.
Jim was born on December 13, 1938, in Chatham, N.J., where he was raised. In high school, he flourished as a soccer player and as a leader, serving as senior class president. He attended Rutgers University, where he studied English. After graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Stationed at Fort Polk, La., he trained as a medic. There, he met his first wife, Kay Hester, a Red Cross worker. After marrying, the couple settled in New Jersey, where their son, Keith, and daughter, Shelley, were born. During this time, he taught high school English while earning his doctorate at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
In 1975, Jim accepted a faculty position at the University of Vermont’s College of Education and Social Services. He was a gifted lecturer known for his warmth, honesty and humor. He was most well known for his class in Human Sexuality, which earned him celebrity status on campus. The class was a popular elective across all disciplines and filled one of the school’s largest lecture halls to capacity every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. He was also known for his strong sense of social justice when it came to gay rights, women’s rights and reproductive freedom. He later served as chair of his department before retiring in 2001.
Jim was an early riser who adhered to routine and was happiest when engaged in some form of work — “leisure time” was spent on shop projects, yard work and house cleaning. After retiring, he devoted himself to the home he built in Shelburne with his second wife, Marilyn — adding a deck, planting trees and tending gardens. He was especially passionate about woodworking and furnished the house with many beautiful tables and shelves. He was disciplined about exercise and enjoyed taking walks at Shelburne Farms and on the UVM campus.
Jim and Marilyn separated in 2007 but remained close, as he did with her extended family, the Bigalow family, whose friendship and gatherings he cherished. He was a devoted father and loyal friend; his loved ones could always count on getting a phone call from him on their birthday. He will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Gillis; daughter, Shelley Barbour; son, Keith Barbour, and daughter-in-law, Suzanne Barbour, and granddaughter, Lena Barbour; and stepdaughter, Katie Gillis Nolan. He is also survived by his brother, Tom Barbour, and sister, Elizabeth Herrera.