James Francis Barnes Obituary
James (Jim) Francis Barnes, age 87, of Wilmington, NC, passed away with his children and daughter-in-law by his side on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC. He fought a courageous battle with stage IV prostate cancer for five months.
He was born on July 2, 1936, in Essex County, NJ, to the late James A. Barnes and Anna Glancy Barnes.
Jim grew up in Paterson, NJ, with parents that were Irish and Scottish immigrants that came to the US through Ellis Island when they were in their teens before meeting one another. His parents worked hard to raise a family during the great depression and instilled a strong love of family from a young age. A trait that Jim carried throughout life to his very last moments here on earth.
At a CYO picnic, he met the love of his life, Bernice, and the two fell in love instantly. The two were married on April 27, 1963, and remained happily married for 57 years until God called Bernie home. The happy couple raised three children born 36 months apart in the days before disposable diapers were around in the Packanack Woods area Wayne, NJ. Jim devoted his life to his family, especially his three children. He would spend time with his kids every chance he could when he was not working. As opportunities presented, he would instill many of life’s lessons to his children. Strong faith in God, love of family, good moral values, common sense, and courtesy, as well as many others too numerous to name. He would joke and call it “Barnes’ Training School” He gladly took on molding his children into the best adults he could. The importance of a good education and having a profession was part of this.
In 1991 Jim and Bernie retired and relocated to Wilmington, NC, where they started a new chapter in their lives and called the South home. They made many friends as Jim was extraordinarily outgoing and never met a stranger. He loved to talk to people, as those who knew him would attest. He had a great gift of quick wit and could find humor in most situations. He especially loved to make his wife laugh. Which he was able to do up to her final days.
When Bernie started to show signs of failing health, Jim took the task of taking care of her head-on. He cared for her each and every day at home for as long as he could. He lovingly took on duties that many spouses would not do typically. When she finally needed a team of caregivers, Dad was by her side every single day without fail until she passed.
To say that Jim was a loving and devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend is a major understatement. He never wanted the spotlight on himself but rather on others instead. Before his passing, he stated that he did not want a lot of “falderal” when he went. He didn’t even want an obituary. He would ask, “How do you sum up a life in a few short sentences?” Truth be told, you can’t. There is much, much more to our Dad than what these lines can express.
Jim is survived by his sons, Dr. James P. Barnes, DDS, FAGD (Dr. Janel K. Barnes, DDS, FAGD) of Wilmington and Dr. Joseph S. Barnes, DC of Hampstead; daughter Maureen Brooks, M.Ed. (Dr. Christopher Brooks, DC) of Alpharetta, GA; grandchildren, Jimmy Barnes and Tommy Barnes of Wilmington and McKenna Brooks of Alpharetta, GA; sister Martha Ela and many nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-seven years, Bernice Graf Barnes, and a sister Catherine Hastie.
Funeral services will be private for immediate family at a later date. Internment will be at the Columbarium of St. Mark RC Church in Wilmington, NC.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Jim’s name to a charity of your choice.
