James Anderson Barnett

On March 1st, 2024, at ~2:01pm, James Anderson Barnett transcended this earthly realm with his family present at Kobacker House in Columbus, Oh. James passed after battling two types of cancer and being a kidney transplant recipient of 13 years, all of which is no small feat. He is survived by his wife Paula(P-Bear), Sons Beau (Beau-B) Barnett (Adrienne Fenorchito), Alex (Ali-Bob) Barnett (Emily Allen-Barnett), grandchildren Calvin and Esme, Sister-In-Law Lisbeth Barnett, nieces Megan Barnett and Alexis Barnett, Brother-in-law Larry Powell, niece and nephew Katie Powell-Nikah and Austin Powell, as well as, countless cousins spanning from East coast of New England all the way to the islands of Hawaii.
 
Jim is preceded in death by his Parents Clarence (Nance) and Helen Marie Anderson Barnett, brother Robert (Bob) Barnett, and sister Jane (Janie) Powell, in addition to many aunts, uncles, and cousins which were all close to his heart.
 
James A. Barnett, aka Jimbo, aka Jimmy, aka Grandpa Jimmy B, aka MR. B, aka Charlie Tuna, aka Dad, aka Daddio, aka Jim-Daddily, was an enthusiastic fan of both giving and receiving nicknames. Maybe because he was a multi-faceted human being. Jim was a Father, Grandpa, Son, Brother, Cousin, Father In-Law, Coworker, Manager, honorary 2nd Dad, Mentor, and much more but above all else a friend. He loved food and was always fond of sharing a meal with people he loved, it was one of the things he enjoyed most.

Charlie was an avid golfer, Buckeye, Bengal, and cheered on the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Cavaliers. He enjoyed landscaping, grilling, and dogs as well. He had five dogs in his adult life that would provide him with comfort and joy, Deiffendorfer, Suzette La Pet Barnett, Zoey, Bella, and Buddy.
 
Born on March 11th, 1949, in Steubenville, Ohio, but lived and grew up in the pottery town of Newell, West Virginia with his parents Helen and Nance, his siblings and much of the Barnett family. In his youth he would walk across the bridge into Steubenville to see movies or buy penny candy and swam the width of the Ohio River as a rite of passage! At one point in his youth having a brief foray into Carnie life, see Growing Up in the Last Small Town by Bob Barnett, Chapter: My Brother the Carnie.
 
Family was important to Jim; family reunions were a consistent outing for the Barnett family and was often the last shindig at the end of summer before returning full force to work and school. These usually found everyone enjoying Jarts (yes, the pointy ones!), Bocce ball, and comfort food (find chess pies if you aren’t yet hip to them).
 
In Jim’s adolescence the family moved to Grandview, Ohio on Wyandotte Rd. adjacent to Johnnie’s Glenn Avenue Grill. In Grandview Jimmy made lifelong friends and worked at Big Bear, a once famous Grocer of days past.
 
Jimbo then went to Ohio University for his extended education, it was here that he blossomed further into the gregarious, fun-loving human that all in his life experienced him to be. Making more lifelong friends and even meeting the love of his life, Paula Barnett.
 
Charlie Tuna and Paula Barnett wed on June 9th, 1973, aching to see more of the world they honeymooned in Jamaica. Paula and Jim enjoyed years of wedded bliss living in various parts of Ohio, gardening and spending time with Family and Friends before settling down in Granville, Oh and having children. It was during this time Jim started his career in the insurance industry.
 
In 1984 Jim and Paula welcomed their son Beau, then in 1986 their son Alex. Jim-Daddily was a compassionate friend, proud father, comedian, grill chef, mentor, and so much more to his sons. All while continuing to travel for work frequently.
 
Jimbo had an extensive career in the insurance industry, which included traveling for claims adjustment after hurricanes Hugo and Andrew. Jim made lifelong friends in his work, and this shows as a recurring theme for his life, everywhere he went he made a friendship out of it. Even being “that Dad” at restaurants making dad jokes, humanizing himself to the staff.
 
James was an avid golfer, even winning the Member-Guest Championship with his Father at the Riviera Country Club of Ormond Beach in the 1990’s. A one-time member of the Heritage Golf Course of Hilliard, Oh. Later in life he worked at and patroned the Raymond Golf Course where he made new friends. Jim and his golf buddies would vacation together annually to enjoy food, sun and golf away from the dreary Ohio winter.
 
Lest we forget, Grandpa Jimmy B who would always have chocolate milk or sweet tea at the ready for his grandson Calvin, with whom he got to enjoy his first golf outing as a Grandparent, which was surely significant. Jimmy B’s second Grandchild Esme is simply a Princess, and he was both doting and silly to ensure she knew how special she was to him. Welcoming her to the family without a doubt brightened Jim’s twilight years.
 
Jim Barnett’s life was long and full of love, frivolity, family, and friends. Anyone would be grateful for the experiences he had in life. We are hopeful that Jim’s family may seek comfort knowing he is at rest after a long and fruitful journey. If there is anything that we can learn from James A. Barnett it is, make a joke, make a friend, try not to take things too seriously and enjoy the moments you have on this earth.
 
En Lieu of traditional services or flowers the family would ask you share memories, stories, or feelings you would like to: 84b.bar1@gmail.com or if one were to feel obligation a donation can be made to the American transplant foundation patient assistance program - https://www.americantransplantfoundation.org/programs/pap/
 
We would like to compile these and present them at a celebration of life, to be announced later. The Barnett family thanks you for holding space for them in this trying time.