James Lawrence Barnard IV

James Lawrence Barnard IV died unexpectedly on May 1, 2026. During his short 23 years, “Little Jimmy” brought profound joy to his family and friends who loved him dearly. He was smart, witty, and thoughtful. He faced challenges throughout his life with determination and dignity.

The oldest of three siblings, Jimmy was the apple of his parents’ eyes. He was born in Seton Hospital on April 23, 2003, in Austin, Texas, the son of James Lawrence Barnard III and Amy Schreiber Barnard. He attended Casis Elementary and O’Henry Middle School where he thrived in academics and athletics. Jimmy was active on the Westwood Country Club Swim Team and in Troop 5 of the Boy Scouts of America where he earned the rank of Life Scout. Jimmy was a faithful member of The Good Shepherd Episcopal Church where he served as an acolyte and enjoyed the tradition of attending services in the church’s historic sanctuary.

He excelled in academics at Austin High School, where he graduated with honors in 2022. He enjoyed playing football as an offensive lineman for the Maroons and lacrosse as a crease attackman for Austin Youth Lacrosse. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved camping trips and scouting adventures. Jimmy enjoyed traveling and spent many school breaks fishing and hunting with his family. On his most recent Spring Break vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Jimmy and his father both caught striped marlins on several deep-sea fishing trips.

Cooking was a favorite pastime of Jimmy’s, and he especially loved grilling, barbecuing, sautéing, or frying his catch or kill. He was a huge fan of Gordon Ramsey and took great pride in cooking with his mother and father. Some of his specialties were fish tacos, blackened redfish, and grilling the perfect steak. On a recent weekend in April, Jimmy and his father had a wonderful time testing their new smoker, making an exceptional pulled pork shoulder.

Jimmy loved attending summer camp at Camp Longhorn and was a long-time camper and counselor. He was a passionate college football fan and enjoyed spending Saturdays cheering for his Baylor Bears and the Texas Longhorns. He enjoyed playing board games with his family and friends, and his competitive nature motivated him to succeed, much to his father’s chagrin, as he recently pulled ahead in their lifelong backgammon duel.

Recent family trips included a trip to Cozumel in August of 2025 and a two-week European holiday trip in December and January. The family went to the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Austria. They spent time in the Christmas markets and walking the streets. They shared so much peace, love, and happiness, enjoying food, history, culture, faith, and fellowship. They also explored the castles and churches and learned the history of the old cities in Budapest, Vienna, and Prague. They attended concerts in churches and other special experiences.

On April 19, “big” Jimmy and Andy went to Waco for the day to visit Jimmy for his birthday and to attend a Baylor baseball game together. They had a banner day together concluding with a celebratory dinner for his 23rd birthday that evening.

Jimmy attended Baylor University where he was set to graduate on May 16, 2026, with a BBA in Accounting. His future plans were to achieve his Masters in Accounting and take the CPA exam.

Jimmy was a caring soul who deeply loved his younger sister Janie and baby brother Andy, as well as his parents, and they provided him with amazing love and support. He was close with his cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Jimmy was intense but had a soft side and was a total sweetheart. Jimmy tragically and ultimately lost his battle with severe depression and OCPD. He will be forever missed by his family and friends.

Jimmy is survived by his father, James Lawrence Barnard III, his sister Jane Ann Barnard, his brother Andrew George Barnard, his grandparents Jan and Durham Barnes and Linda and Fred Schreiber, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was predeceased by his mother Amy Schreiber Barnard in 2025 and his grandfather James Lawrence Barnard, Jr.

A memorial service will be held on May 14, 2026, at 2:30 pm at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. A reception will follow at Westwood Country Club from 4-6 pm. Arrangements for Jimmy’s service will be conducted by Weed-Corley-Fish. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jimmy’s memory to Menninger Clinic in Houston.