(Oneida, TN 2004-06-05) Scott County lost a local community and business leader Saturday afternoon, as Jim Barna, owner of Jim Barna Log Systems, passed away at his home, victim of a reported heart attack.
Born in Szeged, Hungary, Barna, 57, along with his parents, escaped from his homeland when communists overthrew the Hungarian government in 1956. Jim became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1965, later enlisting in the U.S. Army, where he served as an airborne ranger in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968. Jim came to Scott County in 1976. Shortly after arriving in the community, Barna began milling log homes. With hard work and dedication, Jim Barna Log Systems rose from a small rural operation to an international leader in the log home manufacturing business. Today, Jim Barna Log Systems is one of the largest log home manufacturers in America, having sold more than 12,500 homes. The company has more than 250 national and several international distributors.
Funeral services for Jim Barna will be held on Friday, June 11, 2004 at 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Oneida with Dr. Doug White officiating. The family will receive friends from 12 p.m. until time of services. Jones and Son Funeral Home of Oneida is in charge of the arrangements of Jim Barna.