James E. Barnes was born July 10, 1931  in Montpelier, Idaho, the son of William Jenkins and Martha Christofferson Barnes.  He graduated from Montpelier High School in 1949.  He attended Idaho State University earning a degree in architecture. He later attended the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. He practiced architecture in Utah, Colorado and Washington State. He died in his sleep on December 16, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years Carol, his brother RA Barnes, his daughters Andrea and Sarah, and his beloved grandchildren Andre' Barnes, Benjamin and Chloe Cosgrove. At his request there will be no services. There will be a private family memorial by Lake Washington where he loved to run.