James E. “Jim” Barnes

James E. “Jim” Barnes passed away May 11, at the age of 49 in La Cañada, his home for the past six years. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was a much loved father, husband and friend.

Born in Riverside, Jim grew up in the Northridge area, spending his time with sports and the West Valley YMCA, where he met his future wife, Bonnie, and so many of his longtime friends.

Jim graduate from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science and obtained a juris doctor degree from Pepperdine University, where he served on the Pepperdine Law Review.

Jim’s years at UCLA gave him a love for winning teams and a distaste for the colors cardinal and gold. His UCLA experience continued with 10 years at the Bruin Woods family camp and another great group of friends.

Jim began his career as an attorney with Bolton, Dunne and YNH, handling all aspects of product liability, employment and professional liability cases (as well as the coffee pot, in-office bar and other assorted social coordination responsibilities for his associates and friends). He left the law firm to join Barnes and Associates, an investigation firm founded by his father George L. Barnes. Jim later became president of the company. He merged his company with that of Smith & Carson late last year; he managed the firm’s western region activities and had responsibility for client relationships nationwide.

He was a member of the State Bar of California and of the board of directors of Public Counsel, the nation’s largest public interest law firm. Jim also served on the board of directors for LAMP, a nonprofit organization providing housing and support services for homeless men and women living with serious mental illness.

Above all, Jim loved his family. He was a great father, managed and coached his daughter Kelly’s softball, basketball and soccer teams and thoroughly enjoyed being her Indian Princess chief. He passed on to her his love of fun, golf, dogs and the outdoors.

Jim is survived by a huge group of family and friends, his wife of 21 years, Bonnie, 11-year-old daughter Kelly, mother Pat Stevens of Sandpoint, Idaho, father George Barnes of Las Vegas and siblings Gail Rhodes of Las Vegas, and Mark Barnes of Houston.

A celebration of his life was held Saturday, May 15, at Oakmont Country Club. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: LAMP, 527 S. Crocker St., Los Angeles, CA 90013, or Public Counsel, 601 S. Ardmore Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90005. Crippen Mortuary handled arrangements.