Jim Barnes, 50, passed away at Madigan Army Medical Center on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006 after an extended illness. He was born in Vancouver, B.C. on Dec. 12, 1955 to William and Mary Barnes.

Jim was raised in British Columbia. After his schooling he worked as a professional commercial diver and as technical expert in community theater. He later joined the Canadian Armed Forces where he spent nearly 20 years prior to retiring. In 1985, while on a personnel exchange program at a U.S. Naval base in California, he met Kay Thomas who was stationed there with the U.S. Navy. In February of 1986 they were married at Skaggs Island Naval Facility in the base chapel.

Jim and Kay were stationed together in Gander, Newfoundland and the same geographical location for Ottawa and Massachusetts, respectively, during both their military careers. While she was stationed in Hawaii, Jim completed his college work at University of Hawaii – West Oahu for which he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration, graduating with distinction. He was known to his friends and colleagues as the Computer Guy, although his knowledge and talents were extremely far reaching. He loved working with his hands and was sometimes known to take on projects that took him longer than he planned, but he was very detail-oriented and every project would be a work of perfection.

Jim and Kay moved to Whidbey Island in early 2000. Jim went to work for Island County Central Services Division as a computer engineer and as such built and maintained computer systems and its peripherals within the county agencies. Jim believed in free trade and enjoyed helping others. He customized computer systems in his off time for friends trading his services for others’ service. His favorite causes were Habitat for Humanity and Students for Free Enterprise (SIFE) University of Hawaii West Oahu.

Jim will be missed by his many friends, family and co-workers. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Kay, at the family home in Oak Harbor, along with his stepdaughter Shaunya Thomas and grandson Devonte Lewis. He also leaves his sister, Sharon Watkins and his brother Rick Barnes, both of British Columbia.

Services for Jim Barnes will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel on Friday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. The family suggests that, instead of flowers, friends and family might want to consider a donation to Habitat for Humanity or University of Hawaii West Oahu Students for Free Enterprise in Jim’s name. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.