James Patrick Wheeler Barnett

WATERVILLE -- James "Jim" Patrick Wheeler Barnett passed away peacefully of natural causes April 5, 2008. He was known as "Tex" in his younger years. Jim celebrated his 100th birthday with four generations of family and friends on March 22, 2008.

Jim was predeceased by his wife, Lillian (Gould); son Phillip Paul of Rockland, Mass.; and his parents, Alpha Smyth and Houston Wheeler Barnett.

Jim is survived by sons, James W. Barnett of Waterville, George P. Barnett and his wife, Carol, of Houston, Texas; daughters, Rebecca L. Tomasevich of Winslow, Virginia M. Muir and her husband, Richard, of Salem, N.H.; cousin, Martha Champion of Clinton, Miss.; 13 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Jim and Lillian were the first couple to marry at the Augusta State House.

They were married for 67 years when Lillian died Aug. 20, 2002.

Jim served in the Army Air Corps in Panama from 1934 to 1935. Jim worked at the tire division of the Pontiac Plant of General Motors, Detroit. By trade Jim was a licensed electrician. He worked at Keyes Fibre. He was head electrician at Fore River Shipyard's Nuclear Division, Quincy, Mass.

Jim taught refrigeration at the Wentworth Institute in Boston. He loved to draw plans and was always working on inventions wanting to make the world a better place. He had a patent on a flytrap he got when he was in his late 80s. Jim and Lillian owned and operated Massachusetts Furniture in Boston, and owned an apartment building in North Quincy, Mass., where they raised their five children. They returned to Maine in 1964 when they constructed, owned and operated the College Inn Motel on Kennedy Memorial Drive, until retiring to Coconut Creek, Fla., in 1979, returning to Waterville in 1998.

The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to Dr. William Bennett for the exceptional care he provided to Jim and Lillian.

Thanks to the staff of Woodlands Inc. where Jim resided for three years.

A memorial service will be at a later date. Interment will be at Pine Grove Cemetery. Donations may be made to Senior Spectrum Muskie Center, 38 Gold St., Waterville, ME 04901. Arrangements are with the Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville.