Longtime Volunteer, Former Arcadia City Clerk Jim Barrows Remembered

GoFundMe account set up for commemoration efforts

Anyone whohas lived in Arcadia probably has met a humble and deeply committed couple ofvolunteers who happened to be married.

Jim and Margaret Barrows were a fixture at just about every event in Arcadia where they selflessly devoted their time and talents to help others in any way they could.

One half of that rare volunteer team passed away last month. Jim was an institution in Arcadia and passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Margaret said, “To all of you who have sent concerns and condolences, I appreciate your thoughts. Jim passed very quietly on Feb. 6 around 6 p.m. He was tired of the effort it took to breathe. Had not been able to converse for several days. But know that he could hear what we were saying to him. He actually waited until no one was in the room to go. Carlene and her husband noticed when they came in from a walk. Sad as it is, it is better for him now.

“My love and thanks to all of you.”

There has been an outpouring of interest in honoring Jim from a variety of people who knew him. Efforts are underway to raise funds on GoFundMe (gofundme.com/f/1n1vmzb2ao) to honor and commemorate him with two “Buddy Benches” and a living tree that will be placed and planted at Baldwin Stocker School, one of the places where he gave so much of his time and talents.
Jim touched so many lives and never asked for anything in return. He brought inspiration and hope to everyone he met. His passion towards helping others left an impact on all.
He will be greatly missed but the lives he touched will remember him forever.

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