Obituary for Wesley Richard Barnes
Lowell-Tims Funeral Home
1100 E. Tamarack Road
Altus, Oklahoma 73521
(580) 482-1233
BARNES
Wesley Richard Barnes, Jr. passed away peacefully on January 21, 2017 in Altus, Oklahoma. He was born in Galesburg, Illinois on February 7, 1941 to Wesley Richard Barnes, Sr. and Harriet June Elliott. He lived in Galesburg until the age of 10 when he moved with his family to Virginia. His father served in the Navy and the family moved up and down the east coast from Virginia to Florida.
In 1960, he graduated from Berkeley County High School in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. He was a star athlete playing football, basketball and running track and field. In August of 1960, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He became a fire fighter and was stationed at McGuire AFB, New Jersey. At McGuire AFB, he met and married his eternal companion, Frances Kay Chance, who was also stationed at the base. They were married on February 18, 1963 in Cookstown, New Jersey. They were married 53 years.
During his 28-year career, he went from firefighter to helicopter search and rescue to C-130 Loadmaster and finishing his career as a C-141 Loadmaster. He was stationed in Taiwan, California, Missouri, Thailand, New Mexico, Virginia, and Kentucky with travels all over the world. He loved to fly. He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant (SMSGT). After his retirement in 1989, he was a C-141 and C-17 Loadmaster Instructor at Altus, AFB where he retired again in 2008.
He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Altus serving in many different capacities in the church. He was called as Bishop of the Altus Ward in 2010. He truly cared for the ward members.
He was an avid fisherman, enjoyed watching sports especially college basketball and Professional Bull Riding. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Kay, of the home, two sons, Jeff Barnes and Blanca of Glendale, California and Brian Barnes and Kristine of Bonita, California and one daughter, Jana Dunow and Bill of Edgewood, New Mexico, seven grandchildren, Hannah and Emily Barnes of Cherry Valley, CA. Kaeley, Shayla and Bethany Barnes of Bonita and Billy and Baden Dunow of Edgewood. He is also survived by his sister, Jane Dyson and Wade of Hanahan, South Carolina and brother Jim Barnes and Judy of Columbia, Missouri and his sister, Joyce Neville of Melbourne, Florida. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Ronald Chance and Marie of Reno, Nevada, nieces, nephews and many special friends. He will be missed by all.
The family will greet friends at visitation from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home in Altus.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 am, Friday, January 27, 2017 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Altus.
Interment will follow at 2:00 pm, Friday, January 27, 2017 at the Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, Oklahoma with military honors rendered by the Sheppard Air Force Base honor detail.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus, Oklahoma.
To sign the online guest book and share memories with the family please visit www.Lowell-Tims.com
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1100 E. Tamarack Road
Altus, Oklahoma 73521
(580) 482-1233
BARNES
Wesley Richard Barnes, Jr. passed away peacefully on January 21, 2017 in Altus, Oklahoma. He was born in Galesburg, Illinois on February 7, 1941 to Wesley Richard Barnes, Sr. and Harriet June Elliott. He lived in Galesburg until the age of 10 when he moved with his family to Virginia. His father served in the Navy and the family moved up and down the east coast from Virginia to Florida.
In 1960, he graduated from Berkeley County High School in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. He was a star athlete playing football, basketball and running track and field. In August of 1960, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He became a fire fighter and was stationed at McGuire AFB, New Jersey. At McGuire AFB, he met and married his eternal companion, Frances Kay Chance, who was also stationed at the base. They were married on February 18, 1963 in Cookstown, New Jersey. They were married 53 years.
During his 28-year career, he went from firefighter to helicopter search and rescue to C-130 Loadmaster and finishing his career as a C-141 Loadmaster. He was stationed in Taiwan, California, Missouri, Thailand, New Mexico, Virginia, and Kentucky with travels all over the world. He loved to fly. He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant (SMSGT). After his retirement in 1989, he was a C-141 and C-17 Loadmaster Instructor at Altus, AFB where he retired again in 2008.
He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Altus serving in many different capacities in the church. He was called as Bishop of the Altus Ward in 2010. He truly cared for the ward members.
He was an avid fisherman, enjoyed watching sports especially college basketball and Professional Bull Riding. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Kay, of the home, two sons, Jeff Barnes and Blanca of Glendale, California and Brian Barnes and Kristine of Bonita, California and one daughter, Jana Dunow and Bill of Edgewood, New Mexico, seven grandchildren, Hannah and Emily Barnes of Cherry Valley, CA. Kaeley, Shayla and Bethany Barnes of Bonita and Billy and Baden Dunow of Edgewood. He is also survived by his sister, Jane Dyson and Wade of Hanahan, South Carolina and brother Jim Barnes and Judy of Columbia, Missouri and his sister, Joyce Neville of Melbourne, Florida. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Ronald Chance and Marie of Reno, Nevada, nieces, nephews and many special friends. He will be missed by all.
The family will greet friends at visitation from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home in Altus.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 am, Friday, January 27, 2017 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Altus.
Interment will follow at 2:00 pm, Friday, January 27, 2017 at the Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, Oklahoma with military honors rendered by the Sheppard Air Force Base honor detail.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus, Oklahoma.
To sign the online guest book and share memories with the family please visit www.Lowell-Tims.com
To send flowers in memory of Wesley Richard Barnes, visit the Tribute Store.
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