James "Jim" Ralph Barnett

Send Flowers

Service Schedule
Graveside Service
Norick Chapel Cemetery
7966 Misenheimer Road
Mountain View, AR  72560
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
2:00 PM
Cemetery
Norick Chapel Cemetery
7966 Misenheimer Road
Mountain View, AR  72560
Memorial Contributions
Kindred Hospice
1141 E. Main Street #208
Batesville, AR  72501
I served in the Navy.
James "Jim" Ralph BarnettI am a Veteran.

of Drasco, AR

December 24, 1926 - April 12, 2018

James (Jim) Ralph Barnett. Aged 91, passed away peacefully in his home town, Drasco, Arkansas on April 12, 2018. He was born to the late Jessie Henson Barnett and Dettie (McWhirter) Barnett on December 24, 1926, in Hickory Ridge, Cross County, Arkansas.
Jim was married to the late Shirley Louise Sherman on July 13, 1946. He is survived by children Paul Barnett of Palmer, AK; Sherry Barnett of Pensacola, FL; Tena (Fred) Ondeck of Bellingham, WA; Adrian Sherman of Portland, OR; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; and two sisters JoAnn (Barnett) O'Leary of Norwood, MA and Maxine (Barnett) Metts of Phoenix, AZ.

Jim was a renaissance man, with many talents and areas of knowledge, whose expertise spanned a significant number of subject areas. He was a kind and loving person to his family. His smile, wit and gentle compassion will be missed by all who knew him.
Jim contributed to his country with a long and honorable military service record, serving two enlistments in the Army and two in the Navy.
During his working career, Jim was a valuable asset to the Oil Exploration industry, working as an inventor and consultant. He received several patents on his innovations and was employed as a troubleshooter to travel around the world, solving technical problems on various exploration ships.

While working in the oil industry, Jim often traveled with his wife Shirley and children to Alaska. He loved exploring and panning for gold, and drove the Alaskan highway numerous times going to and from Alaska from the lower 48. His work in oil regularly took him to the North Slope.

Jim was gifted with an innate knowledge and love of music and played several instruments. He also became an accomplished luthier, restoring stringed instruments and building violins and mandolins which will always be treasured and used in the family.
A special thank you to the Kindred Hospice in Batesville and Heber Springs, Arkansas for their loving care and support.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Roller-Crouch Funeral Home, Mt. View, Arkansas.

Graveside services will be held at the Norick Chapel Cemetery, 7966 Misenheimer Rd, Mountain View, AR, located on Misenheimer Rd. approximately 9 mi. south of Mountain View, AR on Hwy. 5. A military honor guard and flag presentation will accompany services held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 18, 2018.

In lieu of flowers please consider sending a memorial donation to Kindred Hospice, Batesville, AR., 1141 E. Main St. #208, Batesville, Arkansas 72501.

Sign Guestbook

4 Condolence(s)
Sherry Barnett
Pensacola, FL
Liked
Sunday, May 28, 2023

My dearest Daddy,
Even now, as I go up to bed each night, your picture and one of your beautiful fiddles meets me at the top of the stairs.
So grateful to have had you and Mama's hands and necks to hug growing up.
You taught us kids to reach for the golden ring , be kind, understanding, forgiving, loving and creative. Your contribution to be the best parent will live with us and be passed on to our next generation, and it all began with you.
May God hold you in his arms and may I have one more chance to wrap my arms around your neck and remember the songs you sang quietly, lovingly as I stored them in my heart to sing to my children.
I love you, you are with me forever.
Sissy

April Barnett
Portland, OR
Liked
Monday, April 16, 2018

You’re forever with me Daddy. I am so very grateful to have had such a kind and loving father. You instilled in me self-worth and determination and anchored me to this world, yet you gave me a compass to find my own way. A man of so many gifts: An intelligent and curious mind, unfailing humor, great strength and wisdom, hardworking and an excellent provider for his family, a loving husband with a forgiving and gentle nature, a patriot, an inventor, an artisan, a musician…and a great cook. Few can compare.
I love you with all my heart and with everything I am. Thank you for being my father.
Your baby girl. April

Jerry Moore
Maricopa, AZ
Liked
Saturday, April 14, 2018

You will truly be missed but I "will" see you again. God speed Uncle Ralph, I love you!

Tena (Barnett) Ondeck
BELLINGHAM, WA
Liked
Friday, April 13, 2018

Daddy, I will remember what you told me, that we will not say goodbye but instead say, we will see each other again soon. I love you and will miss you so much. Tink