Barge, John Sumner (Mike) Jr., Born Jan. 24, 1944, was the son of the late John Sumner Barge and Willie Langley Barge of Norfolk Virginia. Mike went home to be with the Lord in the early morning on June 25,2003. He is survived by his devoted wife Jean and five children, John Barge, III of Duarte, CA, Adolphus (Darby) Barge of Shanghai, China, Marcus, Megan, and Joy Barge of Duarte, CA. He is survived by 7 sisters, Jacqueline Bradley of Middleburg, VA, Estelle Langston of Jamaica, NY, Jean Gentry of Clinton, MD, Bernice Phillips of Annapolis, MD, Evangeline Nettles of Hampton, VA, Inez Cotton of Dallas, TX, and Jessie Barge-Swift of Pemberton, NJ. He is remembered fondly by all his Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, God-children, in-laws, and thousands of friends and youth of all ages world wide.
Mike was educated by the Norfolk Public School system, and graduated from the Booker T. Washington High School. He attended Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama as well as Norfolk State University where he was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Mike is also the proud recipient of an Honorary Ph.D. in Humanities as well as an Honorable Ph.D. of Divinity from All Nation Full Gospel Church in Toronto Canada. Mike was a medical specialist in the U.S. Army and received an honorable discharge as a Vietnam Veteran. Aside from this duty to his country and fellow-man, Mike was called to ministry at a very young age. He spent his entire life in service to the Lord and Mankind, touching lives both locally and internationally. He was the founder and pastor of Grace Word Fellowship International, which became Covenant Family Church Ministries of Pasadena. He was a 1996 graduate of Crenshaw Center Christian Ministry Training Institute. Mikes other areas of activity included retired owner of Neighbors Painting and Contracting, Inc., avid gardener, and a heart for youth. More recently, Mike was employed by University of Phoenix as an enrollment counselor as well as being enrolled as a student. Mike's ministry dedication has been to South Africa, and locally as a board member of Faith Missions International Inc. Mike Barge, "a man of faith", is remembered fondly by thousands world wide. He was a member of From the Heart Church Ministries of Southern Calif. In Pomona where he served on the ministerial staff. Services will be held Tuesday, July First at 11a.m. at From the Heart Church Ministries of Southern CA. in Pomona, 655 N. Mills Ave. (at Keystone), Pomona, CA 91767.
Published in the Los Angeles Times on 6/29/2003.