Gerald W. Barnes

Gerald W. Barnes

Gerald W. Barnes, 84, research psychologist, professor and musician, died on Monday, April 19, 2010.

Jerry, as he was known to all, was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and graduated from Little Rock Central High School. He received his Ph.D. in Psychology at the Indiana University and served as professor of psychology at the University of Maine and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He later moved to the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, where he was named Professor Emeritus. He and Rae also lived in Batesville, Arkansas, and in Charlottesville, where he passed away.

Before he went into teaching, Jerry became a musician of some renown, playing jazz trombone with Randy Brooks' Orchestra and Les Brown's Band, both in New York City. He also played his horn for the United States Army Air Corps. After he started teaching, he continued playing with various bands in Arkansas and with the Arkansas Symphony.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Martha Rae Rutledge Barnes; his daughters, Laura J. Grimes of Cedar Park, Texas, and Theresa L. Palanjian of Grants Pass, Oregon; his step daughters, Laura S. Stepp of Arlington and Teresa R. Kramer of Bethesda, Maryland; as well as his sister, Tommie C. Rogers of Tyler, Texas; and his grandchildren, Jennifer Kramer, Kimberly Kramer and Jeff Stepp.

A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, April 22, 2010, at the Culpeper National Cemetery, 305 U.S. Avenue, Culpeper, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers or other memorials, donations may be made to the Gerald W. Barnes Award, Arkansas Community Foundation Inc., Union Station, Suite 206, 1400 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72201.

Friends may sign the guest book at www.hillandwood.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.