James Barbour, 84, a board member of the San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) in Stockton, CA, for more than 30 years, died March 24.

Barbour joined the board of what was then the Stockton Metropolitan Transit District in 1972 and concluded his years of service in March 2006—a tenure of 34 years. APTA recognized his longtime commitment to RTD and public transportation with the Outstanding Public Transit Board Member Award in 2003.

During his time on the board, Barbour served four times as its chair and five times as vice chair. His APTA activities included membership on many committees and service as vice chair-transit board members.

RTD recognized Barbour in 2005 with its John Lopez Inspirational Award, which “acknowledges outstanding achievements of such magnitude that they exceed being exceptional in one’s job, but in addition, inspire others by their significance.”

When RTD laid the cornerstone for its new Downtown Transit Center in July 2006, a few months after Barbour’s last board meeting, the agency included his name on the cornerstone plaque along with those of the current board members to commemorate his support for establishing such a transit hub.