James McClelland Barrett, 82, of Essex Fells, NJ, passed away December 5, 2025 after a lengthy illness. Jim was born in Palo Alto, CA on December 17, 1942. He leaves his wife of 53 years, Clarissa (Lissa), daughter Molly Stern (Josh), son Pete Barrett (Erin), and grandchildren Emma, Jacob, Jack, and Sam.
He graduated from Brown University in 1965 with a B.A. in American Civilization. At Brown, he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and played on the varsity ice hockey team, which competed in the NCAA championship his senior year. After graduation, he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He served on the USS Lyman K. Swensen for two years and was Officer-in-Charge of a Swift boat in Vietnam in 1968-1969.
After returning to civilian life, Jim entered the golf course industry, eventually working for Robert Trent Jones Sr. for a dozen years. In 1985, he founded his own golf course irrigation firm, James Barrett Associates, Inc., one of the first of its kind east of the Mississippi River. A respected industry leader, Jim gave tirelessly to support and grow the next generation of irrigation consultants. He served as Chairman of the Irrigation Association (IA), on the IA Board of Directors, and as the American Society of Irrigation Consultants (ASIC) President. Over several decades, he contributed to certification, technical, and standards committees for both organizations.
Jim authored sections of three irrigation textbooks, serving as lead author of one. His commitment and expertise earned him numerous honors, including the Irrigation Association's Industry Achievement Award, the ASIC Sam Tobey Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Roy Williams Memorial Award. Throughout his career, he designed irrigation systems for more than 300 golf courses across the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean, including Augusta National Golf Club, Oakmont Country Club, Baltusrol Golf Club, Muirfield Village Golf Club, and the Maidstone Club.
For decades, Jim coached for the Montclair Hockey Club and also served as its president. He was a longtime member of the Montclair Golf Club, where he served on the board, and a member and former president of the Keene Valley Country Club. He loved fly-fishing, spending time in the mountains of Keene Valley, NY, and relaxing with his beloved black labs.
Memorial donations in Jim's name may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation online or by mail at 223 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 350, Chicago, IL 60606.
He graduated from Brown University in 1965 with a B.A. in American Civilization. At Brown, he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and played on the varsity ice hockey team, which competed in the NCAA championship his senior year. After graduation, he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He served on the USS Lyman K. Swensen for two years and was Officer-in-Charge of a Swift boat in Vietnam in 1968-1969.
After returning to civilian life, Jim entered the golf course industry, eventually working for Robert Trent Jones Sr. for a dozen years. In 1985, he founded his own golf course irrigation firm, James Barrett Associates, Inc., one of the first of its kind east of the Mississippi River. A respected industry leader, Jim gave tirelessly to support and grow the next generation of irrigation consultants. He served as Chairman of the Irrigation Association (IA), on the IA Board of Directors, and as the American Society of Irrigation Consultants (ASIC) President. Over several decades, he contributed to certification, technical, and standards committees for both organizations.
Jim authored sections of three irrigation textbooks, serving as lead author of one. His commitment and expertise earned him numerous honors, including the Irrigation Association's Industry Achievement Award, the ASIC Sam Tobey Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Roy Williams Memorial Award. Throughout his career, he designed irrigation systems for more than 300 golf courses across the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean, including Augusta National Golf Club, Oakmont Country Club, Baltusrol Golf Club, Muirfield Village Golf Club, and the Maidstone Club.
For decades, Jim coached for the Montclair Hockey Club and also served as its president. He was a longtime member of the Montclair Golf Club, where he served on the board, and a member and former president of the Keene Valley Country Club. He loved fly-fishing, spending time in the mountains of Keene Valley, NY, and relaxing with his beloved black labs.
Memorial donations in Jim's name may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation online or by mail at 223 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 350, Chicago, IL 60606.
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