James Joseph Barnett was born and raised in Childress, Texas. He played football for the Childress Bobcats, and graduated from Childress High School in 1937. He attended Texas Wesleyan College and earned a degree in Business from Southern Methodist University in 1947.

At Texas Wesleyan, he met Virginia Merle Eaves, who became his wife on June 2, 1945, in Dallas, Texas. At that time, he was a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. He enlisted after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and served in campaigns in the South Pacific. He and his wife lived in Corpus Christi until he returned to civilian life. After finishing his degree at SMU, he and Merle made their home in Fort Worth, Texas, where James sold life insurance. He worked as an agent and as office manager for Fidelity Union and Southwestern Life, and he was active in civic affairs, as well, participating in the Glencrest Civic League and serving as President of the O.D. Wyatt booster club in 1970. After retiring from Southwestern Life Insurance Company, he enjoyed reading, cycling, and traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe with Merle and close friends. He was a member of Meadowbrook United Methodist Church, where he served as an usher and frequently taught lessons for the Upper Room Sunday School Class. He was also a member of the Northshore Animal League. A serious student of United States History, he taught history courses for two semesters in classes offered through the Tarrant County College Senior Program.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jonathan Lloyd Barnett, and sisters Lennis Barnett and Margaret Anne Barnett Sundby. He was survived by his wife, Merle; daughter. Joanna Barnett Gibson; son. James Russell (Rusty) Barnett; niece, Susan Sundby Edgar; nephews, Steve Sundby and Ronald Barnett; his beloved cat, Boots, and a wide circle of friends.