Jim Barnett

Jim Barnett, age 79, resident of Coeur d'Alene, died March 31, 2011, at home after a short battle with Pancreatic Cancer. He was born Aug. 20, 1931, in Coeur d'Alene, to Amos and Estella (Carlock) Barnett.

Jim served in the Idaho Army National Guard when it was activated for 21 months during the Korean War. He worked for JC Penney for 20 years, working at the Coeur d'Alene, Kellogg, Anaconda, Montana, St. Maries locations and two stores in Spokane. Jim then worked for the U.S. Postal Service from 1968 to 1995. He was a postal clerk most of the time at the Coeur d'Alene Post Office.

Music was a large part of his life; he played in numerous combos before starting the "Sound of Music" Big Band that he ran for many years before joining the "Coeur d'Alene Big Band," where he was the music director. Jim was a charter member of the North Idaho College Community Concert Band, playing with them for over 38 years. He met his future wife, Linda, at the NIC Community Band, marrying her in 1976. He also played with the "Swing Street" Band in Sandpoint for several years.

He enjoyed model railroading, photography (had his own darkroom), and his 1937 Ford Club Coupe that his grandfather purchased new in St. Maries. He and Linda were active in the Early Ford V-8 club in Spokane.

Jim is survived by his wife, Linda, at home; three cousins: Myra Ellen Ecklund of Medimont, ID, Wally and his wife Hazel Gilman of Wapato, Wash., and C.A. Gilman of the Spokane area; his mother in law, Laura Gee of Trout Creek, Mont.; and sister-in-law Judy Henaghan of Thompson Falls, Mont.

A memorial service will be April 6, (Wednesday), at 11 a.m. at the English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. 4th Street, Coeur d'Alene.

His family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835, or the North Idaho College Music Department in care of Director Terry Jones.