of Little Rock, AR
July 12, 1938 - March 29, 2020
James D. Barnett III, 81, of Little Rock, passed away March 29, 2020. He was born on July 12, 1938 near Tahlequah, Okla. to James D. Barnett Jr. and Allene Hazel (Smith) Barnett. Despite his Oklahoma birthplace, he was a son of Searcy County, where his ancestors had farmed and lived and taught school for almost a century before he was born.
Jim's parents raised him to be a good and honorable man who valued education, hard work, and honest dealing. He was a loving husband and father and a devoted grandad. He delighted in his grandchildren and was immensely proud of who they were. He was a regular at school events, ball games, church performances, and anywhere else one of them had a chance to shine. Cousin time in Grandad's big backyard was the highlight of every family gathering where it didn't rain. Whatever the game baseball, chess, dress-up he was ready to play. And he always shared his French fries, even when he wasn't asked nicely.
Jim grew up in St. Joe, part of a large extended family of Barnetts and Smiths, and moved to Valley Springs in the early 1950s. He graduated from Valley Springs High School in 1956 and went on to earn degrees in civil engineering from Arkansas Tech, the University of Arkansas and Texas A&M. He moved to Little Rock after college, but maintained strong ties to his two hometowns. He loved attending Valley Springs High School reunions with his lifelong friend Jim Morris, and he never missed Decoration Day at the Osborne Cemetery in St. Joe.
Jim spent his entire 41-year career as a civil engineer with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, retiring in 2002 as the state maintenance engineer and head of the Maintenance Division. He knew every state highway in Arkansas, and never had to consult a map to tell you the quickest route to anywhere you wanted to go. He was inducted into the Arkansas Academy of Civil Engineers in 2001.
In the fall of 1964 a friend of his told him about her pretty new roommate Jan, and Jim went right over to meet her. He went back again and again, he said, and pretty soon he knew the way. They married on March 20, 1965 easily the smartest decision either one of them ever made. They were married until Jan's death on New Year's Eve, 2010.
After his grandkids, Jim loved golf, his church, reading about history, and spending time with Mr. Morris. His foursome of golfing buddies, the Friends in Faith Sunday school class at Trinity United Methodist Church, and visits with Mr. Morris were constants for decades, and his children are grateful for their love and support through the years.
We would also like to express our appreciation for his friends and caregivers at Parkway Village, to the caregivers at House of 3 and Kindred Hospice, and to Katibel Johnson, who brought joy to his life and remained a steadfast and devoted friend through his final days.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jan; and two sisters, Judith Ann Campbell and Charlotte Jean Barnett. Jim is survived by his children, Jay Barnett (Kari), Jennifer Barnett Reed (Matt) and Jill Barnett Sorrows; grandchildren Jaden Atkins (Michael Bandemer), Grace and Alex Barnett, Ashlyn and Drew Sorrows, and Jack and Georgia Reed; nephew Al Campbell (Janae) and nieces Karen Campbell and Statia Smith; and brothers-in-law John Campbell, Forrest Smith and Les Smith.
The family will hold a private graveside service at the Osborne Cemetery in St. Joe and will plan a memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to Trinity United Methodist Church (1101 N. Mississippi Ave., Little Rock, 72207) or to the JD Barnett Legacy Leader Scholarship Fund care of the Valley Springs Foundation (PO Box 640, Valley Springs, AR 72682).
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11 Condolence(s)
Bob Faulkner
Saturday, October 24, 2020
Jim was my boss and mentor for several years. He was also one of my fishing partners on those trips we used to take to Greer's Ferry Lake. He kept me straight when I got out of line with his dry humor and simple wisdom. I will always appreciate his friendship and his guidance in my life. I regret not being able to see him more after we retired. I miss him.
Danny Keene
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Jim was my boss ARDOT for several years and was such a wonderful and caring man. He was so instrumental in furthering my career and would always take the time to listen and then give sound advice. He was always one of the most respected engineers at the Department. Jim and Jan took the time to spend time going out to eat with me and my wife, Tracy, and they were always interested in what was going on in our life and in the lives of our kids. We dearly loved both of these fine people. Jim will be missed! My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this great man!!
Vanesa Wood
Sunday, April 12, 2020
I was sorry to hear about Mr. Barnett’s passing. We only knew him for a short time when we would visit our dad at House of 3, but Mr. Barnett was a comfort to our dad while he was there. I loved seeing them talk to each other and pass the time sitting beside each other. God be with you during this difficult time.
Vanesa Wood (Bill Diles’ daughter)
Karen Lacewell
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
My deepest condolences to the Barnett children, grandchildren and extended families. Jim was such a wonder, kind man and he will be missed by us all. Special love to Jay, Jennifer and Jill.
Karen Lacewell
Jim & Vera Murray
Friday, April 3, 2020
Our condolences to the family. Jim and I were roommates our senior year at the UofA. Both of us attended the Valley Springs high school and had many good times fishing in our farm ponds and on the Buffalo River. He was a great friend and I know a great father and grandfather.
John D. Barnett Jr.
Friday, April 3, 2020
Condolences to Jay, Jennifer and Jill on the untimely passing of your father, my cousin Jimmy. His laid back, kind and cheerful demeanor is what I’ll always remember about him. He and Jan were a wonderful couple. Great memories. God bless.
Tony Sullivan
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Jim was my boss and mentor for over 25 years at ArDot. He was always patient and caring with me and never said a harsh word. He was one of the most respected Traffic Engineers in the country and it was an honor to have worked for him.
John Sage
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Jim and I rented an apartment together in the summer of 1960 when we both started to work with the Highway Department.
We became great friends and I have so many memories of Jim.
We spent a great weekend in New Orleans with our wives enjoying the French Quarters and listening to Al Hirt and Pete Fountain. We played a lot of golf together and sometimes we were not too smart. We played 45 holes one day in August and walked 27 of them. we also played one day with ice on the greens. Ennjoyed spending time with his dad on the houseboat with one of his dad's friends. We spent time trout fishing on the White river. I regret that I did not see more of Jim in the last few years but I have so many memories of Jim that I will treasury forever. He was a good man.
Jim
Billy Harrod
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Jim was always the most pleasant man. A great portion of my 46 year career with the Arkansas Department of Transportation, I worked with Jim and he was always fair and great to work with. He was someone that I respected very much and will certainly be missed.
Keith Jones
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
I admire a great sense of humor, and Jim certainly possessed one. He was a terrific professional traffic engineer and took the job very seriously, but he was always in great humor and enjoyed a joke on himself as much as anything. He was part of many great golf fellowships around town, and most of them are waiting for him to join them on the Silver Tees in the sky. RIP, good guy Jim
David and Kathleen Barnett
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
I knew Jimmy all my life growing up around him at Valley Springs and reuniting with him at the Valley Springs Reunion. I remember him going on some of his Dad and my Dad's ( Edd Barnett) trot lining trips while I and my brother where bait catchers. Jimmy and I had the same great grandpa, David Jackson Barnett. Now David Jackson, James David, JD jr and Jimmy will rest together at Osbourn. Jimmy enjoyed life and enjoyed visiting. He will truly be missed at the Reunion. Rest easy, Jimmy.