James Richard Barnett

James Richard Barnett

Sept. 26, 1938 - May 15, 2012

GENEVA, Nebraska -- James Richard Barnett, 73, of Mound, Minnesota, died Tuesday (May 15, 2012), at Heritage Crossings Nursing Home in Geneva, Nebraska, following a short battle with cancer.

He was born Sept. 26, 1938, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Carroll James and Eleanor (Peterson) Barnett of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up in Minneapolis and graduated from Central High School in 1956. He attended Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Michigan for two years. He later transferred to the University of Minnesota where he graduated in 1960 with a degree in sociology.

He married Susan Tyler in 1961, and to this union one daughter, Kathryn Mary, was born. He worked in pharmaceutical sales as a detail man for the former Burrows-Welcome Company and traveled extensively throughout Minnesota and neighboring states. Having grown up around his father's pharmacy, he was well prepared to work in the field. James spent the majority of his working life in various administrative roles for non-profit organizations including executive director for the Arthritis Foundation in Sacramento, California and executive director for the Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC) in Austin, Texas. Before his retirement, he worked as a grant writer, raising money for organizations in the Twin Cities area.

James was an avid reader and accomplished writer, penning two books, which he was in the process of trying to publish. He enjoyed the company of family and friends and traveled throughout the United States frequently. He was a fan of traveling by train and made many trips aboard Amtrak. He had an insatiable curiosity about people and life and was known to ask a lot of questions. He had a fantastic sense of humor and brought much happiness to those who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Eleanor; father, Carroll and ex-wife, Susan.

Survivors include his daughter, Kathy Kotschwar of Geneva; sisters Mary Barnett of Veracruz, Mexico and Barbara (Ralph) Bulford of St. Louis Park, Minnesota; grandchildren Ashley Allberry and her fiance, Geoff Langenberg of Lincoln; Jessica Allberry of Lincoln and Max Kugler of McCook; two nephews, David Bulford and Tom Bulford of Minnesota; nieces Lisa Bulford (Curtis) of Minnesota; Elizabeth Guinea (Chris) of Key West, Florida; Sara Guinea (Luis) of Veracruz, Mexico and many extended family members and friends

Memorials/remembrances may be addressed to the family at 1507 G St., Geneva, NE 68361 or to hospice care.