James Larry Barnett peacefully transitioned from earth to his heavenly home on December 7th, 2020.
Larry, as he was affectionately called, was born on July 28th, 1948 in Alton, Virginia. He was the youngest of 8 children born to Mary and Ernest Barnett. He attended elementary and middle schools in Halifax County, VA. After moving with his family to Plainfield, NJ, he attended and graduated from Plainfield High School.
As a young child, Larry discovered he had a love and talent for playing softball. That talent led him to play softball in the Pan American Olympics as a catcher. While playing in Seattle, Washington, Larry suffered an injury and had to be flown home. It also led to the cancellation of him playing a much anticipated game in Cuba. Throughout his career, Larry played for well over 11 different teams, including the Plainfield Eagles, Plainfield Elks, Solomon’s, Warrior’s, Jerseyland Bombers and the Tigers. Larry perfected playing the Windmill Fastpitch, a technique of throwing the ball in a “windmill” type of movement. In 2017, Larry was inducted into the USA Softball of New Jersey Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have distinguished themselves in the game of softball. Larry was known for coaching many youth teams which he highly enjoyed.
Larry gave his life to Christ, and attended Ready to be Free Ministries and First Park Baptist Church. Larry was as passionate about singing as he was about playing softball – he LOVED to sing! He believed in making a joyful noise to the Lord, and each Sunday, you could always count on Larry to be singing tenor in the choir – he just knew he could sing! He was also a sharp dresser, and would show up to church and other functions with hat, shoes, tie, handkerchief and cufflinks matching at all times!
Larry was employed at several companies, including an insurance company, but spent the bulk of his career at the Plainfield Department of Public Works for 22 years, where he was a supervisor and retired in 2013.
In July 1980, Larry met his soulmate, Joann Reeves, who he married in 1995, and to this union, one son was born, “Little Larry”.
Larry was a genuine, one of a kind person. He developed sincere brotherhood relationships with friends and loved his large, extended family and supported many functions. He was someone that you could count on for support, no questions asked. Larry was known for being hospitable, frequently opening up his home to out of town family. Larry also held up his end in a good argument, passionately arguing his case until he wore you down or got you to agree with him! Larry will truly be missed at family events and will never be forgotten.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Mary Barnett, brothers Ernest Jr. (“Pete”) Barnett and Edgar Llewellyn Barnett, sister, Frances Cunningham and sister-in-law Elzoria Crane.
He is survived by his wife, Joann, four sons, Darrell, James, Larry and Chester Barnett, a step-daughter, Shonett Colbert, nine grandchildren, 2 great-grands, two brothers, John Barnett (Lois) and William Barnett (Corethia), two sisters, Marva Jones and Alma Watkins , two sisters-in-law, Michele Davenport (Jerome) and Barbara Reeves, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and church family.
Larry, as he was affectionately called, was born on July 28th, 1948 in Alton, Virginia. He was the youngest of 8 children born to Mary and Ernest Barnett. He attended elementary and middle schools in Halifax County, VA. After moving with his family to Plainfield, NJ, he attended and graduated from Plainfield High School.
As a young child, Larry discovered he had a love and talent for playing softball. That talent led him to play softball in the Pan American Olympics as a catcher. While playing in Seattle, Washington, Larry suffered an injury and had to be flown home. It also led to the cancellation of him playing a much anticipated game in Cuba. Throughout his career, Larry played for well over 11 different teams, including the Plainfield Eagles, Plainfield Elks, Solomon’s, Warrior’s, Jerseyland Bombers and the Tigers. Larry perfected playing the Windmill Fastpitch, a technique of throwing the ball in a “windmill” type of movement. In 2017, Larry was inducted into the USA Softball of New Jersey Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have distinguished themselves in the game of softball. Larry was known for coaching many youth teams which he highly enjoyed.
Larry gave his life to Christ, and attended Ready to be Free Ministries and First Park Baptist Church. Larry was as passionate about singing as he was about playing softball – he LOVED to sing! He believed in making a joyful noise to the Lord, and each Sunday, you could always count on Larry to be singing tenor in the choir – he just knew he could sing! He was also a sharp dresser, and would show up to church and other functions with hat, shoes, tie, handkerchief and cufflinks matching at all times!
Larry was employed at several companies, including an insurance company, but spent the bulk of his career at the Plainfield Department of Public Works for 22 years, where he was a supervisor and retired in 2013.
In July 1980, Larry met his soulmate, Joann Reeves, who he married in 1995, and to this union, one son was born, “Little Larry”.
Larry was a genuine, one of a kind person. He developed sincere brotherhood relationships with friends and loved his large, extended family and supported many functions. He was someone that you could count on for support, no questions asked. Larry was known for being hospitable, frequently opening up his home to out of town family. Larry also held up his end in a good argument, passionately arguing his case until he wore you down or got you to agree with him! Larry will truly be missed at family events and will never be forgotten.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Mary Barnett, brothers Ernest Jr. (“Pete”) Barnett and Edgar Llewellyn Barnett, sister, Frances Cunningham and sister-in-law Elzoria Crane.
He is survived by his wife, Joann, four sons, Darrell, James, Larry and Chester Barnett, a step-daughter, Shonett Colbert, nine grandchildren, 2 great-grands, two brothers, John Barnett (Lois) and William Barnett (Corethia), two sisters, Marva Jones and Alma Watkins , two sisters-in-law, Michele Davenport (Jerome) and Barbara Reeves, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and church family.
James Larry Barnett peacefully transitioned from earth to his heavenly home on December 7th, 2020.
Larry, as he was affectionately called, was born on July 28th, 1948 in Alton, Virginia. He was the youngest of 8 children born to Mary and Ernest Barnett. He attended elementary and middle schools in Halifax County, VA. After moving with his family to Plainfield, NJ, he attended and graduated from Plainfield High School.
As a young child, Larry discovered he had a love and talent for playing softball. That talent led him to play softball in the Pan American Olympics as a catcher. While playing in Seattle, Washington, Larry suffered an injury and had to be flown home. It also led to the cancellation of him playing a much anticipated game in Cuba. Throughout his career, Larry played for well over 11 different teams, including the Plainfield Eagles, Plainfield Elks, Solomon’s, Warrior’s, Jerseyland Bombers and the Tigers. Larry perfected playing the Windmill Fastpitch, a technique of throwing the ball in a “windmill” type of movement. In 2017, Larry was inducted into the USA Softball of New Jersey Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have distinguished themselves in the game of softball. Larry was known for coaching many youth teams which he highly enjoyed.
Larry gave his life to Christ, and attended Ready to be Free Ministries and First Park Baptist Church. Larry was as passionate about singing as he was about playing softball – he LOVED to sing! He believed in making a joyful noise to the Lord, and each Sunday, you could always count on Larry to be singing tenor in the choir – he just knew he could sing! He was also a sharp dresser, and would show up to church and other functions with hat, shoes, tie, handkerchief and cufflinks matching at all times!
Larry was employed at several companies, including an insurance company, but spent the bulk of his career at the Plainfield Department of Public Works for 22 years, where he was a supervisor and retired in 2013.
In July 1980, Larry met his soulmate, Joann Reeves, who he married in 1995, and to this union, one son was born, “Little Larry”.
Larry was a genuine, one of a kind person. He developed sincere brotherhood relationships with friends and loved his large, extended family and supported many functions. He was someone that you could count on for support, no questions asked. Larry was known for being hospitable, frequently opening up his home to out of town family. Larry also held up his end in a good argument, passionately arguing his case until he wore you down or got you to agree with him! Larry will truly be missed at family events and will never be forgotten.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Mary Barnett, brothers Ernest Jr. (“Pete”) Barnett and Edgar Llewellyn Barnett, sister, Frances Cunningham and sister-in-law Elzoria Crane.
He is survived by his wife, Joann, four sons, Darrell, James, Larry and Chester Barnett, a step-daughter, Shonett Colbert, nine grandchildren, 2 great-grands, two brothers, John Barnett (Lois) and William Barnett (Corethia), two sisters, Marva Jones and Alma Watkins , two sisters-in-law, Michele Davenport (Jerome) and Barbara Reeves, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and church family.
Larry, as he was affectionately called, was born on July 28th, 1948 in Alton, Virginia. He was the youngest of 8 children born to Mary and Ernest Barnett. He attended elementary and middle schools in Halifax County, VA. After moving with his family to Plainfield, NJ, he attended and graduated from Plainfield High School.
As a young child, Larry discovered he had a love and talent for playing softball. That talent led him to play softball in the Pan American Olympics as a catcher. While playing in Seattle, Washington, Larry suffered an injury and had to be flown home. It also led to the cancellation of him playing a much anticipated game in Cuba. Throughout his career, Larry played for well over 11 different teams, including the Plainfield Eagles, Plainfield Elks, Solomon’s, Warrior’s, Jerseyland Bombers and the Tigers. Larry perfected playing the Windmill Fastpitch, a technique of throwing the ball in a “windmill” type of movement. In 2017, Larry was inducted into the USA Softball of New Jersey Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have distinguished themselves in the game of softball. Larry was known for coaching many youth teams which he highly enjoyed.
Larry gave his life to Christ, and attended Ready to be Free Ministries and First Park Baptist Church. Larry was as passionate about singing as he was about playing softball – he LOVED to sing! He believed in making a joyful noise to the Lord, and each Sunday, you could always count on Larry to be singing tenor in the choir – he just knew he could sing! He was also a sharp dresser, and would show up to church and other functions with hat, shoes, tie, handkerchief and cufflinks matching at all times!
Larry was employed at several companies, including an insurance company, but spent the bulk of his career at the Plainfield Department of Public Works for 22 years, where he was a supervisor and retired in 2013.
In July 1980, Larry met his soulmate, Joann Reeves, who he married in 1995, and to this union, one son was born, “Little Larry”.
Larry was a genuine, one of a kind person. He developed sincere brotherhood relationships with friends and loved his large, extended family and supported many functions. He was someone that you could count on for support, no questions asked. Larry was known for being hospitable, frequently opening up his home to out of town family. Larry also held up his end in a good argument, passionately arguing his case until he wore you down or got you to agree with him! Larry will truly be missed at family events and will never be forgotten.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Mary Barnett, brothers Ernest Jr. (“Pete”) Barnett and Edgar Llewellyn Barnett, sister, Frances Cunningham and sister-in-law Elzoria Crane.
He is survived by his wife, Joann, four sons, Darrell, James, Larry and Chester Barnett, a step-daughter, Shonett Colbert, nine grandchildren, 2 great-grands, two brothers, John Barnett (Lois) and William Barnett (Corethia), two sisters, Marva Jones and Alma Watkins , two sisters-in-law, Michele Davenport (Jerome) and Barbara Reeves, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and church family.
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