BARNES, James Kerwin

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 04/29/2011 James Kerwin Barnes was born June 2, 1961, in Reserve, N.M. He was the fifth child born to Virginia (Harrison) and Archie Robert "Bob" Barnes. James became a truly "free spirit" when he passed away April 22, 2011, at his home surrounded by family and close friends. He had fought this battle until the very end and now will surround those that he loved as they continue in life. James grew up in the beautiful San Francisco Range of Mountains in which Reserve is situated. He learned early, with the guidance of his dad and older brother, Kevin, about hunting, fishing, trapping, forestry and a strong work ethic. Kerwin, as he was known to his family, took the art of fishing further than his dad could teach him and became an avid and devoted angler. It was here that he grew up with motorcycles and carried on a family tradition of owning and riding them. James attended schools in Reserve. He entered into the Job Corps and worked in the forestry division. Changing careers, he became involved in the telecommunication industry and for 25 years he worked as a heavy equipment operator/foreman/supervisor for such companies as Bonneville Construction, TriState, Pirelli-TriState, Sturgeon Electric, Henkels and McCoy and Caprock Communications. He was in demand as an operator, especially on the backhoe. He spent many hours driving and flying to "special" jobs which required expert digging around live underground electrical lines, live fiber, gas, sewer and water. He was certified by both Sprint and AT&T to perform these necessary jobs. James also taught company men and even some of his bosses about the process of laying fiber and refused advancement to "stay with his equipment" and in the field. When he decided to "settle down," he had worked in most of the continental United States. His dad used to laugh and say his address was General Delivery, U.S.A. During this same time, he gained the nickname of "Hippy," as there were too many Jim's on one crew. James was blessed to have one son, Brian Robert Ryan. James and Brian gained a whole family Aug. 22, 2004 as James and Deborah (Kolarik) Green were united in marriage in Caldwell, Kansas. Hippy had come off of the road and chose to work for Harold and Brett Hall, Joe Davis and other farmers in the Nardin, Okla. area. Now he could devote time to the other loves of his life, the 17 grandchildren that he and Debbie shared. They even drove to Show Low, to see a new granddaughter at 2 days old. Having planned to be there for her birth, Aleska could not wait for grandpa and grandma. James is survived by his wife, Debbie of the home; mother Virginia Barnes of El Cajon, Calif.; son Brian Ryan of Show Low; and loved step-children: Kimberly (Richard) Snyder, Carole (Shane) Dunagan, Kendall (Mindy) Looper, Jarrett Reed, all of Blackwell, Okla., Zachary (Tabetha) Reed, So So, Miss. and Amanda (Tyler) Flaherty of Cherokee, Okla. His siblings, Karen (Ron) Wilson of Silver City, N.M., Nancy (Ivan) Gray, Willow Springs, Mo., Kevin (Beverly) Barnes of El Cajon, Calif. and Anthony Barnes of Las Vegas, Nev. Close to him, also, were Missy Shaffer, Jeannie Challis, James (Kimberly) Rowley, J.R. (Mary) Loveland and his "babies" Sasha and Angel. To miss him the most will be the grandchildren who had different names for him; Blake Johnson, Jayden , Kolby and Lane Looper, Neisa Short, Genton Challis, Billie Shaffer, Blaine and Ala Dunagan, Christopher and Katlee Snyder, Codie, Rodderick and Grace Flaherty, Bryson and Aleksa Ryan, Toby Loveland, and Tyler and Kaylee Rowley. He is also survived by an aunt and uncle, three nieces and six nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Archie Robert "Bob" Barnes and sister Shannon Lee Barnes. A time for sharing memories was held at the Drury Dam April 25, at sunset. Friends and family were welcome. Memorial services will be held in Reserve, N.M. at a later date. Memorials may be made in James' name to Hospice Care of Kansas or to Bikers Against Child Abuse. "Ride with the wind, my Eagle brother. Be free! Across the ribbon of the mountains and the plains. The road rises up to greet and embrace you! Ride Free!" To share a memory or leave a condolence, visit www.scaheffermortuary.info Arrangements were handled by Schaeffer Mortuary, 6 N. Main, Caldwell, Kansas.