JAMES CARROLL BARNES
Jan. 23, 1941-Nov. 30, 2013
WILMINGTON -- Surrounded by loved ones, James Carroll Barnes died at home in Wilmington, N.C., Nov. 30. 2013.
Born in Goldsboro, N.C., Jan. 23, 1941, to the late Sidney Malcolm Barnes Sr. and Eula Hamm, most of his childhood was spent with his beloved aunt, the late Sudie Elizabeth Barnes of Goldsboro.
During his youth and most of his young adulthood, he was a member of Black Jack Free Will Baptist Church in Goldsboro.
As a teen, he was baptized in Swift Creek near Raleigh, N.C. Active in church, he and his brother, Roger, often sang duets for services.
As a young teen, he was engaged in farming with his uncle and aunt, the late Hubert and Lillian Barnes, in the Grantham community of Wayne County, along with three brothers, the late Roger Barnes and Mac Barnes Jr. from Fayetteville and Goldsboro respectively and Eugene Barnes of Dunn.
A stellar athlete, upon graduation from Grantham High School, he entered the National Guard, then joined the United States Army. Trained as a medic and sharpshooter at Fort Sam Houston in Texas, James was assigned to service in Germany.
Following military service, he completed a career progression program with General Acceptance Corp. in Fayetteville in 1970, working as a financial representative with GAC until advancement to loan management with a lengthy tenure with A&M Enterprises also of Fayetteville, N.C.
His career in finance and home mortgage management concluded with AIG Corp. prior to his retirement in 1995 in Wilmington, N.C., the perfect location to pursue his passion of fishing at Johnny Mercer's Pier in Wrightsville Beach. On weekday mornings, James frequently gathered with a group of retired fishermen friends to spin fishing tales and review the catch of the day over coffee.
In perusing this passion, James was the recipient of numerous North Carolina Saltwater Fishing Citations for excellence in sport from the Division of Marine Fisheries.
An avid golfer, who enjoyed playing with brothers-in-law, he mastered a hole-in-one (125 yards) at Carolina Sands Golf Course in Elizabethtown.
A naturalist, he derived great pleasure in the beauty of the sea and gardening, often capturing their splendor in one of his many hobbies, photography.
Former training as a cosmetologist was the perfect venue to serve family clients splendidly.
Known as a gourmet chef, he delighted in preparing meals to celebrate family events.
A member of Winter Park Baptist Church in Wilmington N.C., James served as usher until failing health.
The great joys of his life were his wife, Dr. Mary Alice Thigpen Barnes, formerly of Goldsboro, and daughter, Kelly Alesia "Lisa" Barnes of Wilmington.
James was not only a beloved husband and doting father, but also a loving brother, son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle and a true friend to many. He indeed had positively touched many lives, and will live in our hearts forever.
In his honor, a memorial service is planned for Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013, at 2 p.m. at Winter Park Baptist Church at 4700 Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, N.C., 28401, or Winter Park Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on December 4, 2013 1:49 PM