My Heart is Broken
James speaking at a Texas Democratic Workshop in Richmond in March
James was dedicated to the ideals of our democracy, and chose to live his too short life in service to others. His passing is a great loss to the TDP, and to all those who believe in democracy and Democratic values.
Below please find the official TDP statement on this loss.
And thank you for keeping James’ family in your thoughts and prayers.
Gilberto Hinojosa
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Yesterday the Texas Democratic Party learned of the passing of James Barnett our Data Director. Words cannot express the sadness we feel from the loss of our colleague and dear friend.
James came to the party in January of this year, having previously served as the Data and Voter File Manager in Nevada. James was a 2004 graduate of Rossville High School, and a 2008 graduate of the University of Evansville. He was an avid sports fan. His favorite teams were the Cardinals, Colts and Pacers and he was a huge fan of college basketball.
But James was most passionate about his job. He worked across this great country to fight for his values through supporting Democratic candidates and causes. As we contemplate his loss, we are thankful for all that he has given us through his love of service to others.
We ask that you keep James in your heart and his family in your prayers. James is survived by his parents Randy and Charlotte and his brothers and sisters Bryan, Sarah, Chris, Erik, Abee, and Bekah.
On a personal note: Y’all, this is very tough for me, so I won’t be posting today. I was on the hiring team who found James at the Nevada Democratic Party and brought him to Texas. The night after his first interview (and his first visit to Texas), Don and I took him to Stubbs Barbeque in Austin and fed him the all-you-can-eat plate. We were accompanied by two of my other favorite people, Glen Maxey and Huey Rey Fischer. James fit in beautifully and believed in what we are trying to do in Texas. He and I shared a love of baseball and all things nerdy. I was honored to work with this bright and charming young man on many occasions, including a training visit to my county. My heart breaks for his family. I personally know what they are going through and it is unimaginable. I miss his plaid shirts, his lousy Star Wars references, and arguing with him over baseball. James Barnett was loved. He was 27 years old.
Momma… Look away.
Damn. Way too young.
1Rest in Peace, James.
2I agree … way too young to be gone so soon! Do you know what took him so young?
May God’s peace be with his family, friends and those who worked with him and loved him!
Condolences from Colorado!!
3Heartbreaking. Prayers for his family and friends. So very young.
4I am so very sorry. Prayers for all of those who loved him.
5Prayers for the friends and family. Friends in plaid shirts and Star Wars quoting geeks shouldn’t go young.
God, watch over him. He’ll take good care of your databases in heaven.
6My deepest condolences on the loss if your beloved friend and colleague, Susan.
My next donation to help turn Texas Blue will be in James’s memory.
7Rest in Peace, James.
My condolences to all that knew and loved this young man.
8Hugs and peace to you, Susan.
9I met James at the training session in Fort Bend County and liked him. He will be missed.
10May God bless and keep the family of James Barnett. Rest in peace James…………I can tell you are much loved and will be missed greatly. Very touching tribute by you, Susan.
11I am so sorry for your loss, and for his family. He sounds like he was a wonderful person. May his memory be a blessing to those who knew him. I hope he knew how loved he was.
12So sorry, Susan for your and the party’s loss…too young, far too young.
13So talented and so young. In a “fair” world this should not happen. He sounds as if he is not only a great loss to Susan, his friends and family, but to the rest of us as well. It isn’t good for our country to lose such young talent. May he RIP.
14Why? Life is too precious.
15Susan, thanks for your thoughts on James, gone way to soon. He will be missed.
16That is such sad news. I’m so sorry for your loss and for all others who knew and loved this bright young man. Even though he was taken too soon, he obviously left a legacy behind of his good works. Lots of soft, gentle hugs to you, Susan.
17A loss on so many levels. Thinking of you.
18So sad, and he was so young. My sympathy to all his family and friends.
19Holding you all in the Light, Susan. To soon gone.
20Met him at the March meeting here in Ft. Bend. Gone too soon! My sympathy to you Susan and James’ family!
21I am just shocked that we have lost this young man. My prayers are with his family and all of us who had the privilege of meeting him.
22We are an Irish family and at times like this we have been known to go for poetry. It helps. Considering his youth and how he seemed to be on a race to turn TX blue, I right away thought of To An Athlete Dying Young. This part really speaks of James:
Smart lad, to slip betimes away
From fields where glory does not stay
And early though the laurel grows
It withers quicker than the rose.
Rest in peace, lad.
23There are no words . . .
24All of your nice comments about James makes me kind of proud that he was a fellow Hoosier, growing up in a small town about 20 miles east of Lafayette where one of my college buddies grew up as well. Your thoughts about him make me wish I’d known him.
25I’m so very sorry for your loss. Please accept my most sincere sympathy. I pray that you and all of the many other people who knew and loved him so dearly will find some peace and comfort in having shared in his life. Rest in peace, young man.
26Much love and light to you, Susan, and to the folks at TDP who must have loved James mightily. The best way to pay tribute to him is to change the way Texans vote. I am down with you on that!
27My brother died at the same age. So much potential lost in both good young men. My deep condolences to you, to his family, and to all who loved him.
He has left ripples in the world that will go on spreading outward.
28I am sorry for your loss.
29To all of you who loved and cared for James, may you find moments of peace amidst the pain. Tell his story. Laugh and cry together. Hug. Continue to do good in his name.
30How very sad. We will continue to turn Texas blue to honor him, Molly, Ann, and all the others who came before us!
31“Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine” – “Grant them eternal rest, O Lord”.
32It is always a shock when someone like James passes – – too soon. (In the last 10 days there were two others I knew who ‘passed too soon.’ One of them was a long time TDP activist.)
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