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He referred to his hometown to one and all as, “The Holy City”.

Born March 1946, to Mary & James Barrett in Camden, NJ. The oldest of four children. His late brother Michael & his wife (late Mary) predeceased him. Kathleen & her husband (late Murph) Geraci, and Mary Alice Barrett, as well as his many nieces and nephews. They grew up in Gloucester City, a small NJ blue-collar town located on the east bank of the Delaware River directly across from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He referred to his hometown to one and all as, “The Holy City”. He attended St. Mary’s Elementary, Gloucester Catholic (Class of 1964), and LaSalle University (Class of 1968). He enlisted in the Marine Corps, received an Honorable discharge, and was drafted by the US Army. He was a Sergeant serving his time in Vietnam, with D Troop, First Squadron, First Cavalry Regiment. He was now in the Air Cavalry. Served his time and received an Honorable Discharge.

Upon graduation from Gloucester Catholic High School in 1964, I enrolled at LaSalle College, now LaSalle University, in nearby Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

While at LaSalle, I enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1964. I was permitted to defer active duty until such time as I completed basic training and received my diploma. I graduated from LaSalle College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. While continuing to fulfill my contract with the Marine Corps in Quantico, I sustained an injury that prevented me from continuing in the program and was Honorably Discharged to return home to NJ in 1968.

In the Fall of 1968, I received my Draft Notice to report for a physical & induction to the Armed Forces on December 8, 1968. I was a US Army soldier & called Fort Dix home for the next eight weeks. It was here (basic training), I learned the ins & outs, what to expect or not expect in this part of my life of enlisted military life. I learned a lot during both Basic & Advanced training. It has been more than 50 years since I said farewell to Fort Dix. The most memorable experience occurred on my 22nd birthday. The entire day was spent blowing up explosives and learning how to safely use blasting caps, detonating cord, and C-4 plastic explosives.

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His trip down Broad Street on New Year's Day filled his heart with pride.

When all classes were completed, test scores posted, Barracks cleaned, dress uniforms fitted with rank, qualification medals attached, travel Orders for home, Graduation, & Goodbyes, I received my Orders to Vietnam.

After a short leave, I started my journey to South Vietnam. I was officially a US Army PFC. I left Philadelphia for the San Francisco Airport, California, on a commercial aircraft bound for Vietnam. It was a long flight before I finally arrived at Tan Son Nhut Air Base to receive my official orders to join a Cavalry Unit identified as D Troop, First Squadron, First Cavalry Regiment. I was now in the Air Cavalry. I was assigned as a replacement for the KIAs & wounded in the A Shau Valley-Hamburger Hill. I was flown North to catch up with my unit in a C130. As we taxied off the runway, we came under rocket attack. All I could think of was General George Custer! It seemed like an eternity before I reached Chu Lai (50 miles south of Danang). I was here, my destination, my home for at least the next year.

D Troop originated from the 101st Airborne. Our Unit was self-contained with Hueys, Cobras, LOH’s, & Blues-infantry. My assignment was Headquarters Co. – Flight Operations, which maintained flight records and security reports. Also had radio contact with Aircraft & ground troops. My most exciting experience was flying in a LOH (OHGA). We each had our call signs, and I was Saber 65.

During my Tour of Duty, we lost a lot of good men, made lifetime friendships, and grew up in the fields and airspace over Southeast Asia. My duty was completed. I left Vietnam from Chui Lai, still proud of being an American & being a US Army Sergeant.

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As Jim would tell you, “They are my brothers and sisters, and we are in this together.”

I wish I could tell you I left the horrors of that year behind, but unfortunately, they are part of the memories you take home forever. I am very proud to have served my Country with the finest men I will always remember…D Troop1/1 Cav!

Jim was known as “Army” by some of his friends, a name that definitely fit him. In December 2023, he had an accident that left him a quadriplegic. He suffered in physical pain every day for two and a half years. He was called home on July 3, 2026. He was surrounded by loved ones and his special nurses and doctors who cared for him while he was in the VA Community Living Center in Philadelphia.

Jim loved playing his banjo in the Philadelphia Mummers New Year's Day Parade with the Garden State String Band for many years. His trip down Broad Street on New Year's Day filled his heart with pride. His good friend Sammy played the banjo and bass and filled in for Jim when needed. He and his electric or upright bass, along with his lifelong friends, Frankie on Sax, Harry on Banjo, Roy on Sax and Vocals, and Danny on Drums, came together to bring music into many lives. Everyone knew them as “Our Gang”.

Jim loved to watch Notre Dame football games and all of the Philadelphia sports teams. He always looked forward to the Army/Navy game. He and his buddies chose their team and dressed for the occasion. The winner had bragging rights for the year!

Jim was employed for 38+ years with the Law Firm of Archer & Griener as a divorce and environmental paralegal. He developed many friendships through the years at Archer, as well as past employment with John Jeffries Corporation and Sealtest.

He married the love of his life, Donna Marie, on May 2, 2004, in Las Vegas at high noon with their good friends, Harry and Patty Herk, by their sides. Together, they built their life with their two daughters, their sons-in-law, Nikole Marie and Steven Michael Hudson, Erika Marie and Fernando Torres. They are blessed with seven beautiful grandchildren. Six handsome boys, David Philip USN, Nicholas Dominic Anthony, Christian Michael James, Allen Michael, Dominico Antonio, Giovanni Luciano, and to round the family out, one beautiful princess, Alessia Rose. Jim loved spending time with his grandchildren. Many trips to Chuck E Cheese, the Aquarium, the Franklin Institute, Dave & Busters, Duffield’s, Johnson’s farm, and play time at the park, picking and painting pumpkins, taking walks, talking about anything and everything the kids were interested in, looking for the “Planes in the Big Blue Sky”, bird watching, feeding the birds and squirrels, watching the Turkeys run all over the back yard and the summer trips to Wildwood (walking boardwalk, or splashing in pool and sandcastles on the beach) is where you could find Jim during the summer months.

Jim is a proud member of Stetser Lamartine American Legion Post 281, Chews Landing, for 30+ years. Here, he held several offices with pride. Jim held the position of Post Commander for a two-year term (2003 – 2005). He will forever be a part of the history of a Post he loved. He is also a member of the Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 281, as a dual member under his father’s time served in WWII. It is here that Jim and Donna Marie together built relationships with those who are now considered family. He donated much of his time and shared his knowledge with his Post over the years. He chaired many programs of The American Legion. Some of his favorite programs were “Boys State” (he tells you that he and President Clinton attended Boys State the same year). He was very interested in the interview process and hearing the stories from the boys on what they learned about the government on their return. The Oratorical Contest is another favorite program he headed up at the Post, County & Department levels. He held all positions through the many years of service to this program (Monitor, Time Keeper, Judge, and Score Keeper). He was involved in Gloucester Township’s Memorial Day Service, and he loved to go to the elementary schools on Veterans Day to share his military experience with the children. Jim’s heart belonged to his Post 281. He went to many Department Conventions in Wildwood and attended Legion College for years. He always took away things of importance to share with the membership. He loves his Post and has built so many lifetime friendships. As Jim would tell you, “They are my brothers and sisters, and we are in this together”.

Jim is also a member of the Glendora VFW, Post 8714, where he donated his time to help his Post with many of their programs, projects, and fundraisers. He held many offices through the years. He enjoyed spending time, watching a game or two with friends and acquaintances.

Relatives, friends, neighbors, mummers, and our community’s veterans are invited to gather with Jim’s family. We’ll pay tribute to service, honor, and valor. We’ll strut to our favorite string band music, take comfort in each other, and celebrate a life of patriotism, music, and fun on Friday, July 17th, between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm at McGee Celebration Creran Funeral Home, 400 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn, where a funeral and remembrance ceremony will begin at 2:00 pm.

As an expression of sympathy, and in lieu of flowers, please extend your generosity and make contributions below in Jim’s memory to establish the James F. Barrett, Jr. Memorial Music Fund.

Please share your memories, photos, and stories of Jimmy with us below

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