James Q. Barnes

James Q. Barnes, 84, of Hatch, NM passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at Memorial Medical Center surrounded by his family and close friends. He was born on February 7, 1927 to J. Q. and Ila Ruth Barnes in Santa Anna, TX. He grew up and attended schools in Lovington, Santa Rosa, Tucumcari, Albuquerque and Hatch, NM, as well as in Kerrville and Robert Lee, TX. His family moved to Hatch NM in 1940 where he attended junior high and high school. Following graduation, he joined the US Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during WW II. He graduated from Sul Ross University, Alpine, TX with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and obtained a Master's Degree in Education from New Mexico Western University in Silver City, NM. He was an educator at schools in Rincon and Hatch, NM. He later attained the positions of Assistant Principal and Principal of Hatch Valley High School and was Superintendent of Hatch Valley School District for almost 20 years. After his retirement, he also taught graduate classes in Business Administration at New Mexico State University. He served on the Hatch Village Board of Trustees, the Memorial Medical Center Board of Directors and volunteered in various civic groups. He was a 32nd Degree Mason in the Scottish Rite and the Shriners, served as Past Master of the Hatch (Val Verde) Lodge, and was a current member of Aztec Lodge #3 in Las Cruces. He loved outdoor sports especially boating, fishing, hunting, camping, and exploring the desert areas of Southern New Mexico. He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Lucy A. Barnes of Hatch, NM; brother, Donald J. Barnes and sister-in-law, Kathy Barnes of Las Cruces, NM; nephew Michael Barnes and his wife JoEllyn Trujillo Barnes of Las Cruces, NM; nephew Christopher Barnes and his wife Caryn Barnes of San Antonio, TX; niece, Theresa Barnes Ritz of Susanville, CA; four grandnieces and four grandnephews. A funeral service will be held at 2 o'clock on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at the Iglesia de Dios, 300 Main Street Hatch, NM. Internment will be in the family plot in Robert Lee, TX. A covered dish luncheon will be held before the funeral service at noon at the Hatch Senior Citizen Center where light refreshments will also be provided follow the service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: James Q. Barnes Scholarship Fund c/o Las Cruces Catholic School 1331 N. Miranda Las Cruces, NM 88005 Phone: (575) 526-2517. PDF Printable Version