James Robert "Jim" Barrett

James Robert “Jim” Barrett, age 78, passed away Friday, July 1, 2022 peacefully, and unexpectedly, at his home in Bentonville. Jim was born on February 23, 1944, to his mother, Elsie, and father, Glover Barrett, in Jasper County, Mississippi.

Jim enlisted as a fireman in the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1962, where he would honorably retire as a Senior Master Sergeant (E-8) with 21 years of service. During his military career, Jim served at US Air Force bases in Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, Alaska, and Texas and several tours of duty at overseas locations in France, Germany and South Korea.

After retiring from the USAF, Jim served as the Deputy Fire Chief at Plant 42 at Edwards Air Force Base, California, for 12 years. Not being able to shake the fireman “bug”, Jim’s final fire department role was as the Fire Chief for Rural Metro, a contract service that provided fire protection at the FedEx Headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee. In total, Jim worked in the fire protection field for 39 years.

Not being one to sit around, after retiring from the fire department Jim decided he wanted to obtain his commercial driver’s license and learn how to drive tour buses……so he did. This new career field in the transportation business is what brought him to Bentonville, Arkansas in 2001 to manage the Coach Bus Lines shuttle service that was operating out of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA). One year later, Jim had the opportunity to purchase this business and it became what is still known today as “Jim’s Express Shuttle.” Always one to look for more things to do with his time, Jim also owned and operated the little breakfast/lunch restaurant known as Jim’s Centerton Café located in Centerton, from 2013 - 2019.

When not shuttling people or cooking in the kitchen, Jim enjoyed working in the yard, repairing trenches on his tractor or tinkering in the shop. He was a kind, caring person who would help anyone who needed help. But, his greatest joy and pride was spending time with his family.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Pam; 2 daughters, Kristy DiStefano, her fiancé, Clay Jones, and Jennifer, her husband, John Cullum; 2 sons, Kenneth and wife, Charlotte Barrett as well as Christopher and wife, Kacey, Barrett; 2 sisters, Becky Addy and Linda Kramer and his brother, Bill Barrett. Jim is also survived by 7 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; extended family on his and Pam’s side who thought the world of him; business associates and many dear friends. Jim is preceded in death by his mother and father; his sisters; Allie Mae Rich and Mary Alice Williams; and his brothers, John and Charlie Barrett.

Services will be held Thursday, July 7, 2022 at Callison-Lough Funeral Home in Bentonville. Visitation will be from 9:30-11:30am and Funeral service beginning at 11:30am. Interment, with Full Military Honors, will follow in Fayetteville National Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Callison-Lough Funeral Home in Bentonville.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CallisonLoughFH.com for the Barrett family.