James Edward Barnes, age 67, departed this life early Friday, January 20, 2023, at his home in the Toppers area of Wagoner, Oklahoma. He leaves to mourn him his beloved wife of 30 years, Sandra Martina Barnes of the home; two brothers, Billy and Clyde and a sister, Paula.

James was born September 5, 1955 in Enid, Oklahoma to Billy Ray Barnes and Wanda (Brown) Barnes, who both preceded him in death.

James served in the United States Army, assigned as an MP part of that time. While stationed in Germany James met the love of his life, Sandra Martina (Jaeger) Barnes on St. Patrick's Day, 1990. They soon married and made their home in Germany while James served, returning to the United States later. Sandra said she enjoyed that time when they lived in an apartment complex that housed families of many nationalities. She shared a memory of James always having candy for the children; they called him the "Candy Man".

Later, after the couple moved to the United States James began working as a welder, but was unable to continue due to health. He returned to school and earned a bachelor's degree at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK. He was most recently employed as the safety manager at Griffin Foods in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Sandra will cherish memories of James all her life. He was a good husband who loved the simple life and the outdoors. Sandra shared his interests, and they even lived off the grid while camping from time to time. His favorite pastime of all was fishing. James was a peaceful person who had a dry sense of humor. His joking would be done with a poker face, and you really had to learn his ways to know he was teasing. Like many peaceful persons, James loved animals of all kinds. He once rescued a kitten that he grew to love, and his three dogs, Sonja, Poochie and Wagger, all were devoted to him, as he was to them.

The funeral service celebrating James' life will be held on Monday, February 6, 2023 at 10 a.m. at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.