Jim Barnes

1935 - 2024

Jim Barnes

Jim Barnes, 90, of Bettendorf, Iowa, passed away on Monday, November 11, 2024. Per his wishes cremation rites have been accorded. A visitation will be held 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at the Runge Mortuary & Crematory. A private inurnment will take place at a later date at Davenport Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Human Society in his name. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rungemortuary.com.

Jim was born on March 3, 1935, to Bruce and Lee (Baker) Barnes in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from McKinley High School in 1952. Jim served in the US Navy for four years and was united in marriage to Patricia Beran on October 7, 1966 in Minnesota. Jim began a career in news and sports broadcasting in Iowa, North Carolina, and Georgia. After graduating from UNI in Cedar Falls, he joined the Waterloo Courier newspaper, where he began a career in market research. During this time, he created a series of tabletop sports games (MLB, NBA, NFL, and USAC) under the name Statis Pro. Within a short time, Avalon Hill Game Company took over production of the games and sold them under the name of Sports Illustrated. At this time, Jim was also writing sports magazines for a New York publisher that included those which bore the name of Jimmy The Greek, a popular CBS sports analyst. At the same time, the Stardust Sportsbook in Las Vegas hired Jim as an odds making consultant for the hotel until the casino was demolished eleven years later. During his career, Jim also created a sports graphic for United Features, Inc. (Sportography) and his NBA player analysis was used by the Kansas City Kings in major roster change.

Jim is survived by his wife, Pat; two sons, Jeff (Becky) and Matt (Heidi); grandchildren, Kolby and Madelynn of Davenport, Iowa and Asher and Lyrin of Geneseo, Ill.; his brother, Dave (Elaine); and sister, Cheryl (Bill) of North Carolina.

Jim was preceded in death by his father and mother.