James T. Barry Jr. is a lifelong McKeesport resident, who grew up in the city's Sixth and Ninth Wards. He now resides in the Twelfth Ward with his wife Terri and their children Jimmy and Katie.

Barry graduated from McKeesport Area High School in 1981 and Penn State University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication.

A lifelong member of the LaRosa Boys and Girls Club of McKeesport, Barry now serves as that club's Executive Director. He also is the Executive Vice President of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania.

Barry serves as President of the McKeesport Youth Baseball Organization (MYBO).