WEEDSPORT - James R. Barnes, 88, of Route 31, Weedsport, died Monday, May 16, 2005, at Auburn Memorial Hospital.

James was born June 17, 1916, in Clyde, the son of the late LeVanway and Eva McGinnis Barnes. James graduated from Clyde High School in 1934, Colgate in 1939, with a degree in liberal arts, and Tri-State Civil Engineering in 1941, with a degree in civil engineering. He volunteered for the Army from 1942-1945, serving as a staff sergeant with the 305 Field Artillery Battalion, 77th Infantry Division, and had been awarded the Purple Heart. He returned to the Weedsport area, where he married Elizabeth Denniston of Weedsport. James retired from the NYS Highway Department, as an assistant civil engineer from 1946 to 1973. He also was a land surveyor in Cayuga County from 1973 to the present.

Mr. Barnes is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Denniston Barnes, whom he married July 19, 1946; three sons, Stephen (Christina) Barnes of New Hampshire, Thomas (Dawn) Barnes of Boston, and Michael (Hollie) Barnes of Weedsport; one daughter, Nancy (Morris) Shear of Conquest; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by a sister, Florence Barnes Secor.

Family and friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at Jewell Funeral Homes Inc., 8886 S. Seneca St., Weedsport. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Port Byron.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Weedsport Fire Department, PO Box 1230, Weedsport, NY 13166.