Barry Wood James

Barry was born in Richland, Washington on March 16, 1969 to Lee and Carolyn (Wood) James. He grew up in Kennewick and graduated from Kennewick High School in 1987. He showed amazing athletic skills from a very early age, vaulting out of his crib and over child gates as a toddler, skiing at age 4, and being selected as one of the youngest players to the Little League All Star Team. In high school he excelled in cross country and track, lettering in both sports all four years.

During summers he and his older brother, Brad, enjoyed running, playing ping pong, eating ice cream, and running some more. Their mother would often arrive home from work to the sound of a day’s worth of dirty dishes being thrown into the dishwasher at the last minute.

Barry went on to earn a teaching degree from Central Washington University, followed by a Master’s Degree from Heritage University. His first job was as a resource room teacher at Mountainview Elementary in West Valley in 1992. It was there that he met Sarah Bush, the Mountainview school psychologist. They worked closely together helping special needs students. Eventually Sarah became the love of his life and best friend.

Barry and Sarah were married on August 3, 1996. While they were a steadfast team facing Barry’s health challenges, they also had a lot of fun. One of their favorite activities was scuba diving. They logged over 125 dives together in many places including Mexico, Hawaii, and mostly Hood Canal. Sarah will forever miss her fabulous dive buddy. They also frequently collaborated on strategies to help their students, and drew from each other’s teaching strengths.

Their son, Aaron, was born in February of 1999. Aaron was the joy of Barry’s life and he was the best father imaginable. He consistently took Aaron on countless weekend and summer adventures. Aaron loved spending time with his dad and they enjoyed biking, hiking, and working out together. Those memories will be forever cherished.

Barry began teaching second grade at Apple Valley Elementary in the fall of 1996, where he taught until October of this year. Not only was Barry an exceptional teacher, but he had an amazing ability to connect with his students, giving many nicknames that stuck for years. His “kiddos” adored Mr. James, had fun every day, and always knew he cared about them. Barry said they loved his singing but knew it really annoyed them, which was actually his goal. He also touched his co-workers and colleagues with his great sense of humor, daily pranks, and gift of irritating. Barry had a definite presence wherever he went.

Barry’s love of running continued as an adult. He was very active in the Hard Core Running Club of Central Washington, serving as President for two years. While President, one of Barry’s goals was to provide activities for kids. He and Sarah co-directed four “Fitness for Kids Marathons” from 2008 through 2012. Barry also competed in many local races and assembled first place Gap-2-Gap “dream teams” for several years. Another accomplishment for Barry was participating in “Escape from the Rock” triathlons in San Francisco with his brother and friend, Kate Saldano.

Barry was diagnosed with an extremely rare tumor on his liver in 2005. He faced the next seven years on his cancer journey with amazing strength, determination, and courage. He received a Livestrong Challenge Award from Lance Armstrong in 2008 for demonstrating resilience, inspiration, public awareness, and commitment in the fight against cancer.

Even as his cancer spread, Barry continued to run, cycle, lift weights, and stay in great shape. Dr. Brady would often smile and shake his head when Barry would ask to adjust his chemo schedule so he could compete in various races, or when he would discover Barry’s pain was soreness from windsurfing the previous day. Those who didn’t know Barry would never have guessed he had cancer because he lived so strong. Even until the very end, Barry’s strength, determination, courage, and sense of humor were still there and inspired all who knew him.

Barry is survived by his wife Sarah, son Aaron, parents Lee and Carolyn James, brother Brad James, father and mother in-law Roy and Dorothy Bush, sisters in-law Audrey Fasching, Jennifer Bush, and Veronica Bush, brothers in-law Tom Bush and Andy Bush, nieces Kayley, Alyssa, Eva, Eden, Olivia, and Amelia, and many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Barry James Memorial Scholarship Fund through West Valley Dollars for Scholars. Checks can be sent to Yakima Federal Saving and Loan, 7105 Tieton Drive, Yakima, Washington 98908. Barry’s first scholarship will be handed out this June to a West Valley graduating senior who attended Apple Valley.

Sarah would like to express the deepest, heartfelt thanks to Dr. Albert Brady and his staff at Washington Hematology Oncology. They became like family and Dr. Brady is a treasured friend whom Sarah will continue to text whether he wants her to or not. She would also like to thank Dr. Karen Harrison who helped keep Barry’s kidneys working as long they could and then some. Finally, there is no way Sarah can express the gratitude felt to family and dear friends for all the love and support received over the years. Barry once said that while cancer certainly isn’t a journey anyone would choose, there are blessings along the way.

A memorial will be held for Barry at the West Valley Junior High gymnasium, 7505 Zier Road, on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at noon, with a reception to follow.

To share a memory of Barry please visit www.keithandkeith.com.