Obituaries

James T. Barnett

1921-2006

James T. Barnett, 84, a former resident of Minden, died March 22, 2006, in Show Low, Ariz. He was born May, 22, 1921, in San Francisco, Calif., to Lynn and Ruth Barnett.

Mr. Barnett worked for the Civilian Conservation Corp. prior to enlisting in the army during World War II. He was a member of the famous 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment "Band of Brothers" of the 101st Airborne Division. He made two combat jumps and was awarded three Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star of Valor. After being severely wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, he was sent to a hospital in Modesto, Calif. where he met and married the girl of his dreams, Shirley Jeanne Sanborn, an Army nurse.

After the war he lived in Southern California and worked in construction. He then started and successfully operated an automotive business. In 1977, he moved to Truckee, Calif. where he built his own home and worked as a finish carpenter and a stone mason. Later he lived in Minden and Reno.

He loved spending time with his family, the outdoors, camping, hunting and fishing. He loved his country and was proud of the family members who served, and continue to serve, in the military.

Mr. Barnett was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Shirley Jeanne. Surviving are his three children, James Barnett Jr. of Snead Island, Florida, Anne Bentley of Show Low, Ariz. and Daniel Barnett of Reno. He had 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Mr. Barnett and his wife Shirley Jeanne Barnett will be inurned at the National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Memorial and funeral services will be private.

Rhoda G. Brooks

1918-2006

Rhoda G. Brooks died with her son at her side April 2, 2006, at Mountain View Care Center in Carson City. She was 87.

Mrs. Brooks was born April 26, 1918, in Toledo, Ohio. She married Ralph Albright in 1937, and they moved to Southern California, where she went to work as an airplane assembler before and during World War II. She met and married Bill Brooks in 1954. After Bill's death in 1965, she became a single mother and worked mainly as a bookkeeper. In 1985 Mrs. Brooks moved to Lake Tahoe to be near her son. She worked as a bookkeeper for a local wedding chapel and more recently at Round Hill Safeway as a video change person before retiring two years ago at the age of 85.

Mrs. Brooks moved to Gardnerville a year ago due to health reasons and had been living with her son. She had an infectious smile and sense of humor, and all who met her instantly became a friend, according to son Craig Brooks, who said she will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

She is survived by her son, Craig Brooks of Gardnerville; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Lynn Albright of Simi Valley, Calif; brother-in-law, Charles Kurth of Granada Hills, Calif.; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Betty Johnson

1915-2006

Betty Johnson, 90, an eight-year resident of Gardnerville, died April 2, 2006, in Gardnerville.

Mrs. Johnson was born Sept. 1, 1915, in Cork County, Ireland, to William and Elizabeth Walsh.

Before moving to Gardnerville, she lived in Vallejo, Calif.

She was a member of St. Gall Catholic Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Owen Johnson.

Among her survivors are her daughters and sons-in-law Constance Elizabeth and Benny Saiz, of Tucson, Ariz., and Beverly Frank and Curt Gardner; daughter Carol Buhlia; five granddaughters; and seven great-grandchildren.

Burial will take place at All Souls Cemetery in Vallejo, Calif. A memorial service was held Monday at FitzHenry's Carson Valley Funeral Home in Gardnerville.

FitzHenry's Carson Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.