Jim Barton - WHS 1942

Jim Barton was born April 30, 1924 and raised in Three Rivers from birth. His father was a cattle rancher and citrus farmer. Hot summers of his childhood were spent in the high country of Mineral King along with their cattle, supplying the rest of the campers with milk and beef. Jim attended Three Rivers Union School through the eighth grade, then attended WHS, serving as student body president his senior year. After graduation in 1942, he attended Visalia Junior College. He enlisted in the Army and was called to active duty in WWII from 1943 – 1946, serving in the Signal Corps in the U S Army’s 89th Infantry Division. He returned to Three Rivers, graduated from Visalia JC, Fresno State and UC Berkeley. He married Jeanette Tario in Three Rivers and they celebrated 66 years of marriage this last year before her death.

A move to Seattle with two young children, Sarah and Mark, allowed Jim to work on his Master’s degree at University of Washington in 1962. Jim continued to work as a ranger in the summer months, for a time in Yellowstone. Upon returning, Jim was hired as a math professor by the newly renamed College of the Sequoias. In 1977 Jim was elected to the WUHS Board of Trustees, where he served for nearly 15 years.

Six generations of Bartons have lived in Three Rivers. Four generations have graduated from Woodlake High School, including Jim’s father, daughter and two grandchildren. He is grateful and humbled to be added to the WHS Hall of Fame.