On January 15, 2021, Coach James "Red' Barnett, loving husband, grandfather, coach, and teacher, passed away at the age of 88.

James is preceded in death by his wife, Freida Barnett; daughter, Brenda Hairrell; father, Steve (Scobie) Barnett; mother, Mary Lou Barnett; and brother, Robert Barnett.

He is survived by his two children, Beverly Brimer (Bob) and David Barnett; grandchildren, Shelly Johnson (Stephen), Jake Hairrell (Julie), Erin Marlow (Daniel), Josh Brimer (Ashley), Chelsey Brimer (Phillip), and Darby Barnett (Jill); great-grandchildren, Mikayla Choat, Madeline Choat, Hayden Johnson,  Tad Johnson, Mallory Johnson, Bella Marlow, Barrett Marlow, MJ Barnett, Adrian Barnett, and Kaspian Barnett; he was also a great-great-grandfather to Brenda Mae Choat; brother, Kenny Barnett (Ann); sisters-in-law, Jane Flowers, Linda Coile (D.C), and Essie Goforth; he had many nieces and nephews as well.

James would go many places that had karaoke, he loved to sing karaoke, and make new friends; he enjoyed fishing with his kids; he was known for his great teaching skills doing Geography and History; everyone always remembered him with his crazy coloring with the maps; he would tell the students to stop talking and let him do the lesson and they could talk in the last 5 minutes of class. He was the girls Basketball Coach at McMinn Central High School many years ago. The memories of James will never be forgotten.

The family would like to thank Athens Place for the time and effort they put into caring for him; the staff was amazing; Hospice of Chattanooga was amazing as well.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, January 17 ^th in McMinn Memory Gardens. If attending the service please wear a mask and honor the state guidelines for social distancing.

No formal visitation will be held.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your favorite charity.