James Arthur Barnum

James Arthur “Jim” Barnum, 86, passed away quietly Friday, November 19th, 2021, from complications of the COVID-19 virus which had weakened his body.
Born in Mesquite, Nevada, January 16, 1935, to Orange Decator and Angie Bell (Hughes) Barnum, 5th of their nine children. Jim perfected his middle child role as peacemaker and friend to all who knew him. He was a gentle, kind, loving, and patient man. He graduated from Virgin Valley High School in 1953 and served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). While on his mission in the Central States, he met his sweetheart, Marion Marketta Edgell. The two married in the St. George LDS temple shortly after his honorable mission release. Jim was drafted into military service in 1957 and served honorably as a Corpsman and Ward Master in U.S. Army’s Sandia Base Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Jim was proud of his Hughes and Barnum family heritage and relished that he was descended from Nobility with at least six of his progenitors having been Knighted by Kings of England. He served many callings for his church including Seminary Teacher, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, Scout Master and as a Temple Worker in the St. George LDS Temple.
Jim loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing, and he enjoyed gardening. Jim often combined his hobbies by bottling many of the fish he caught, much of the venison he harvested and the most of fruits and vegetables he grew. He was an avid quilter and made over 200 quilts. He cooked, sewed, sang, and whistled. And he was always happy. He worked for the Clark County Department of Parks and Recreation where he was paid to do things he loved to do.
He was preceded in death by his son, Marcus, his beloved sister Ella Ree, four of his brothers Odean, Elwin, Emeral, and Orin. He is survived by his loving wife, Marketta, sons Carl (Karol), Kelley (Bonnie), Tony (Stephanie), and Jason (Chrissy), 15 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, brothers Theryl, Ace and a sister Roxie Beardon.
Visitation will be held in the Mesquite Stake Center, 100 S Arrowhead Lane, Mesquite, Nevada, Friday, December 3, 2021, from 6:00 - 8:30 pm and on Saturday, December 4, 2021, from 9 - 10:30 am.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, December 4, 2021, at 11:00 am, Mesquite Stake Center, 100 S Arrowhead Lane, Mesquite, Nevada.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign his online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com .