As the sun sets, Jim Barnard herds his sheep back into the barn for the night on Nov. 9, 2023. He’s been herding sheep since he was 12 years old.

In retirement, after raising three children, Jim and Debbie Barnard returned to their passion for herding sheep and started a farm. With careers in nursing and insurance behind them, they filled their days together devoting themselves to religion and their land.

The couple, who met in Greek life at the University of Missouri, had been married for more than 50 years when Debbie lost her battle with leukemia in May 2022. Now alone at age 75, Jim is learning how to care for the farm and the home without her.

Barnard drinks his morning coffee at 5 a.m. before tending to his farm on Nov. 8, 2023, as he does every day.

A photograph of Barnard’s late wife Debbie is seen as his computer’s wallpaper on Nov. 8, 2023. After more than 50 years of marriage, Debbie lost her battle with Leukemia in May 2022.

Barnard’s tattered coat and rubber boots lay outside the front door of his home on Nov. 8, 2023. Although he had a career in insurance, he returned to his passion of herding when he retired.

Barnard gives parasite prevention medicine to his sheep Annabel on Nov. 8, 2023.

Barnard drives a tractor to transport wood he cut to warm his home on Nov. 9, 2023.

Debbie Barnard’s personal wool collection sits untouched in a spare room where she used to felt, weave and process their wool.

Barnard serves himself food during a Gideon’s International meeting on Nov. 11, 2023, at China Garden. The group is an association of Christian professionals who meet to pray together and provide Bibles to the community.

Barnard prays during a Gideon’s International group closing prayer on Nov. 11, 2023, at China Garden. He and his late wife have been with the organization for 33 years.

Barnard goes home for the night after working on his farm since 6 a.m. on Nov. 11, 2023.