Ned M. Barnes

10/28/1936 - 04/26/2011

BARNES,
Ned M.
(Age 74)

Ned M. Barnes passed away April 26, 2011 in Spokane. He was born October 28, 1936 in Spokane, the son of Edwin K. and Mary (Maclin) Barnes.
A graduate of Spokane Public Schools, Ned attend-ed elementary school at Wilson Grade School and high school at Lewis and Clark. He received his undergraduate degree from the School of Business at the University of Minnesota in 1958, attended the University of Washington School of Law until his graduation and admission to the bar in 1961. Ned served in the U.S. Air Force and was assigned to the Judge Advocate General Corps in Plattsburg, New York. Upon returning to Spokane in 1965, he accepted a position with the law firm of Witherspoon, Kelley, Davenport & Toole in 1965 where he became a partner and practiced law until his death. Ned served on the Board of Directors of Witherspoon Kelley for many years and was the leader of the real estate practice group.
Ned was a Fellow in the American College of Real Estate Lawyers for the past 30 years. He was a member of the American Land Title Association, and a founder and former President of the Pacific Real Estate Institute. He was recognized by Best Lawyers in America for his real estate practice since 1985. Ned believed that all members of the Spokane County Bar Association owe a duty to give back to our community and he was always active in civic affairs. He also served on the board of directors of Sterling Savings Bank for 27 years.
Ned served on the Board of Directors of Spokane Mental Health Association for over 40 years, having provided pro bono legal work on its behalf and having helped to facilitate its merger with Child Guidance and Crisis Clinic in 1969. His greatest reward in serving was seeing people with mental illnesses being cared for and their lives improved.
Ned called libraries "an absolutely important feature" of a community. He served on both the City of Spokane Library Board of Trustees and the Spokane Public Library Foundation where he was Chairman of the Board since 1989. Last August, the Washington Library Friends, Foundation and Trustees Association honored Ned with its prestigious Distinguished Service Award for Trustees. He was a member of the Downtown Spokane Partnership from 1993 through 2008 and served on the Canadian Committee of Spokane Regional International Trade Alliance.
Ned was an avid golfer, a longtime member and former President (as was his father) of Manito Golf and Country Club. He enjoyed spending time at Priest Lake with family and friends. Ned was an early pioneer in wild white water rafting and could row with the best. His favorite river was the Middle Fork of the Salmon. One of his greatest joys was reading and he always carried a book.
Ned was a member of Manito Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Linda Barnes; children, Eric (Karen) Barnes of Encinitas, CA., Katherine (Larry) Warner of Oakland, CA., Mitchel (Raquel) Barnes of Madrid, Spain, and five grandchildren; plus his sister's children, Robert, Gary, and Donald James.
Memorial services will be at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at Manito Presbyterian Church, 401 E. 30th Ave., Spokane. The service will be followed by a gathering in celebration of Ned's life at Manito Golf & Country Club. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: the Spokane Public Library Foundation, Spokane Mental Health, Manito Presbyterian Church, or Hospice of Spokane. Please visit Ned's on-line memorial at: www.hennesseyfuneral homes.com Arrangements entrusted to: