Donald Byers 9/3/2002 1:24:28 PM | James H. Barnes, 76, died Tuesday, Oct. 13, 1998, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. He was born Jan. 1, 1922, in Richmond, Va., to Claude J. and Ellie M. Barnes. He was raised and educated in Richmond. He attended college for three years before entering the U.S. Army in 1943. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1944 and served as a bombardier and radar observer on a B-17 Flying Fortress in Europe with the 1st Air Division, 401st Bombardment Group. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, World War II Victory and European African Eastern Service Medal with oak leaf clusters. After his discharge in 1945, he returned to the University of Richmond and earned a degree in teaching and law. He was employed during his schooling at the court house as a clerk. After his graduation from law school, he received a professorship at the University of Richmond teaching veterans law. He worked 10-15 years there and then as a clerk for the court, working until approximately 1975. He then worked for the University of Chicago updating law books until 1980. While employed with the University of Chicago, he worked in the Richmond, Va., area. During his time with us, he was a teacher, clerk of court, lawyer, writer, storyteller, comedian, 50-year member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and a member of the McNeil Law Society. He is survived by his sister, Clarice Beck, and her husband, Kenneth, of Kalispell; his brother, Claude J. Barnes Jr. of Richmond, Va.; a niece and three nephews and their families. A graveside service will be held Monday, Oct. 19, at 11 a.m. at the Montana Veterans Home Cemetery in Columbia Falls with military graveside honors by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Rev. Jerry Buchanan of the First Baptist Church will officiate. Arrangements are by the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. --"The Daily Inter Lake"; Kalispell, MT; October 18, 1998 |