Dates
James (Jim) Barnett, 85, of El Paso, Texas, passed away on July 27, 2025, with his wife, Rosemary Hesbrook Barnett, by his side. The two were united in marriage for 57 years and enjoyed a wonderful and full life together with family and friends.
Jim was born May 18, 1940, to Edward and Altha Barnett of San Angelo, Texas. Jim graduated from San Angelo High School and attended Angelo State University during its junior college period. During his initial college years, he also served in the Texas National Guard and was subsequently called to active duty with the U.S. Army during the "Berlin Crisis" of the early 1960's. Jim eventually received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education degrees from the University of North Texas, with additional post-graduate work completed at the University of Texas at El Paso. Jim was licensed as a professional superintendent, mid-management administrator, special education supervisor, professional counselor, special education counselor, and speech and hearing therapist. He served as a classroom teacher, speech and hearing therapist, high school counselor, personnel officer, director of guidance and testing services, Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Associate Superintendent for Operations, and numerous other administrative positions over a 35-year career in education with the Ysleta Independent School District (YISD) in El Paso, Texas.
Jim served in many leadership and honorary roles. He was a political candidate for the Texas Legislature, House of Representatives, District 75 during 1995; served as Chairman, Planning and Zoning Commission for Horizon City, Texas; Chairman, Texas Urban Curriculum Council (Texas Large 8 school districts); Chairman, District 22 University Interscholastic League Executive Committee; served as President, El Paso County Chapter, Texas Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development; and, he was a Texas PTA Honorary Life Member. Jim received the Ysleta ISD School Board Award for Outstanding Administrative and Leadership Service. He was also the Membership chairman, Region XIX, Texas Association of School Administrators; Vice-President, El Paso Public Television Foundation (KCOS) during the station's early developmental years; Board of Directors, Junior Achievement Organization; and Board of Trustees, Goals for El Paso. In addition, Jim was a member of the Fort Bliss Rod and Gun Club as well as the Ysleta Lions Club in the 1970's.
Jim retired in 1995 from public school education and then accepted, in subsequent years, positions as a consultant for the Honeywell Corporation, financial advisor with A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc., and served as a coordinator for Alternative Teacher Certification in the College of Education at the University of Texas at El Paso.
Jim had numerous hobbies throughout his adult life. He owned several horses during the 1980's and 1990's and enjoyed pleasure riding in the local desert and on various hunting adventures. Jim was also a licensed pilot and enjoyed flying his single engine, 4 passenger Piper Cherokee aircraft throughout a 10-year span of time. In addition, being one of six close-knit fraternity brothers at the University of North Texas in Denton, he maintained meaningful friendships for over 50 years. He always looked forward to their reunions in Clifton, Texas.
Jim was blessed to have a wonderful family life. Jim enjoyed cheering his daughter on during her various activities and competitions in the 80’s and 90’s, including Sun Bowl, Southwest Maid of Cotton, and Miss El Paso events. This transitioned into involvement with his grandson’s sports, most particularly football. Jim was an outstanding, involved, and kind father and grandfather. He also cherished his pets, the numerous cats and dogs that felt his empathetic hand over the years.
Jim Barnett is survived by his wife, Rosemary Hesbrook Barnett of El Paso; daughter, Jennifer Barnett LaFleur and son-in-law Eric LaFleur of Plano, Texas; and grandson, James Edward LaFleur, of Plano, Texas. Additional survivors include his sister, Glenda Harvey and her husband Dean Harvey of San Angelo; brother, Roy Eugene Barnett of Palestine; sister-in-law, Becky Hesbrook Garcia of Edinburg; brother-in-law, Norman Hesbrook and his wife Dr. Hermelinda Hesbrook, brother-in-law, Dr. James Hesbrook and his wife Elena Hesbrook, and brother-in-law Eddie Hesbrook, all of Edinburg, Texas. Numerous nieces and nephews are also survivors.
Jim always had a wish to return to San Angelo with its history and with the memories attained during his formative years. Finally, back at his childhood home, he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either: Books Are Gems, Jim Barnett Memorial Fund (www.booksaregems.org) and/or the El Paso Humane Society (www.hselpaso.org).
Visitation / viewing services in San Angelo will be held at Johnson’s Funeral Home & Chapel, 435 W. Beauregard Avenue, San Angelo, Texas from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on August 6, 2025.
Memorial services will be conducted at Johnson’s Funeral Home & Chapel, 435 W. Beauregard Avenue, San Angelo, Texas, beginning 10:00 A.M. on August 7, 2025.
Graveside services will be conducted at Fairmount Cemetery immediately following the Memorial services on August 7, 2025 (1100 West Avenue North, San Angelo, Texas 76903).