Travis James "Jim" Barnes Jr.

Funeral services for Travis J. “Jim” Barnes Jr., 80, of Cullman, will be Tuesday, June 21, 2011, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Cullman. The body will lie in state from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church. Pastor Warren Ruland and Pastor Martin Nutter will officiate the service. Interment will follow at Cullman City Cemetery.

Jim was a long-time business man in Cullman and a highly respected member of the community. He was born in Pensacola, Florida, on December 14,1930, a gift of God to his parents, Travis J. Barnes Sr., and his wife Eula Daisy Barnes. His Christian parents brought him to the Lord in Holy Baptism on November 26, 1946. Jim attended Florida State University, receiving a B.S. Degree in Business Administration. While at FSU, he was very active, serving in the Air Force ROTC, president of his class, and member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. On February 2,1957, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, he was united in marriage with Betty Louise Buettner.

The Lord blessed their marriage for 54 years, as well as blessing them with two children: Jimmy Barnes (Mary) of Cullman and Lisa Marie Peterson of Manchester, Tennessee. They were also blessed with five grandchildren: Trey Barnes, Will Barnes, and Sam Barnes of Cullman, Josh Peterson, and Katie Peterson of Manchester, Tennessee. He also has one surviving sister, Barbara (Bob) Douglas, as well as two nieces: Diane Reynolds (Doug) and Robin Alford (Sam) from Pensacola, Florida, and one sister-in-law, Mary Ella Hamner and a host of nieces and nephews from Cullman. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather by his family and as a kind and caring man by his friends and the community.

Jim was an avid supporter of Cullman, where he spent 55 years of his life employed at Buettner Brothers Lumber Company. As co-owner/president of the company for a number of years, he worked tirelessly to build the business, as well as the community of Cullman.

His earlier duties included organizing the construction and sell of Buettner Shell Homes. Later, he managed the company and purchased building materials for the business. He thoroughly enjoyed his work and continued to go in to the office until his recent health decline. He was also very active in the community as shown through his service to others. He served as Chairman of St. Paul's School Board and served on the Boards of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce and Terri Pines Country Club. He was also a life-time member of Kiwanis Club, where he served as president and had perfect attendance for 20 years. Jim also served the community as a Scout Master and Coach of Little League Baseball.

Jim was a Florida State/Alabama fan and loved attending football games, but most of all he loved his church and church family dearly. He became a communicant member of St. Paul's in 1958 and remained a faithful member for the rest of his life. He served the church in a number of capacities, including president of the congregation (3 terms), a Sunday school teacher (adult and teen classes), an elder, an usher, and long-time member of the Men's Club.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. at Moss-Service Funeral Home on Monday, June 20, 2011. The family request that memorials be given to St. Paul's Lutheran Church/School Building fund, 513 Fourth Avenue South East, Cullman, AL 35055.