Name: Visitation for Lewis Brant Barnes
Start: 2023-01-18T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-01-19T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Nelson-Berna of Fayetteville

The state of Arkansas lost its second most ambitious entrepreneur on Friday, Jan. 6.

Lewis Brant Barnes, 43, of Tontitown, Arkansas, was born on June 28, 1979, in Mountain Home, Arkansas, to Marvin Lewis Barnes and Jana (Love) Barnes.

Brant loved life, loved his family and loved helping others reach goals they thought unreachable. He grew up in Mountain Home, Arkansas, and graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1997, winning the baseball state championship that same year.

Brant went on to graduate from the University of Arkansas in 2001 with a degree in business. He was a huge Razorback fan but especially admired Arkansas' own Mr. Sam Walton (who he would've called Arkansas's most ambitious entrepreneur).

Following in the footsteps of his father, Brant started his business journey by becoming an agent with Shelter Insurance. As with anything Brant got involved in, he wanted to be the best (and usually was). Within a few years, he won the Shelter Insurance Agent of the Year in 2009, and never fell far from the top following that achievement.

At his core, he was an entrepreneur, and in 2005 added restauranteur to his title when he became a Papa John's Pizza franchisee. He went on to open multiple stores in Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. To name all the businesses and endeavors Brant was involved in would take a team of writers a month to sort through, but the short list includes: Agent, real estate investor, pizza maker extraordinaire, car flipper, pilot, boat captain, travel guide, diamond dealer. Brant worked continuously to push his businesses to the next level. He also pushed himself physically by running more than 1,500 miles per year and playing racquetball twice a week at 5 a.m.

Brant married the love of his life, Leslie Linville of Memphis, Tennessee, in 2004. Per Brant's style, he proposed in Destin, Florida, and was married on the beach a few days later. Brant loved his daughter, Morgan, and her independent spirit.

In 2005, they welcomed their son, Lawson, to the world. After Lawson's autism diagnosis, Leslie took on the additional role as primary advocate for their son. At the same time Brant redoubled his energy to make sure he could support Lawson as needed. He was so thankful for Leslie, and the amount of respect and admiration he had for her was immense. She was his superhero!

In the words of B. Barnes, "Buckle up and drive safe!"

He is survived by his wife, Leslie Barnes; his daughter, Morgan Linville of Witter, Arkansas; his son, Brant Lawson Barnes; his parents, Lewis and Jana Barnes of Mountain Home, Arkansas; his sister, Layne Bruce of Atlanta, Georgia; his sister, Lori Gregory of Mountain Home, Arkansas; his paternal grandmother, Elma Barnes of Searcy, Arkansas and his two grandchildren, Jadeian and Nova Scott.

On Monday, Jan. 16, the family received friends at 1 p.m. with a Celebration of Life service at 2 p.m. at Real Life Church at 1326 Rossi Road, Mountain Home, AR 72653.

A public visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18 at Nelson Berna Funeral Home, 4520 N. Crossover Road, Fayetteville, AR 72764.

A private service for family and a small number of friends in Fayetteville also will take place.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to HALO (Helping Autism Through Learning and Outreach). More information may be found on the website www.halo-soma.org

To sign the online guest book, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Baxter Bulletin from Jan. 18 to Jan. 21, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Lewis Barnes

Sponsored by Nelson-Berna Funeral Home & Crematory of Fayetteville.

3 Entries

Derin McMains

January 21, 2023

Brant was a great friend. We grew up together. We had a ton of laughs together. We played baseball together every year from the time I was 7 until we graduated from high school. He was a great teammate that would always do whatever it took to help the team win. When we connected again back in Mountain Home while celebrating our 20 year anniversary of our HS team winning the state championship, I was not surprised to learn about all of his success. His drive and enthusiasm was infectious. He made the people around him better. He made his community better. It was always fun to be around him, and it was an honor to call him friend.

Sheila Drake

January 18, 2023

Prayers of comfort to you all

Zeke McMains ,Aubyn, Ryan, Derin

January 18, 2023

To the whole Barnes family I would like to share a few memories Of Brandt. Lewis and I were Brandt´s Little league baseball coaches. I remember the first time I watched him play I loved his Enthusiasm for the game, Little did I know at that time that Brandt would be that way in whatever he would endeavor and for me was a welcoming challenge. I remember his first home run mostly because I had him bunt the next time he came to the plate and he give me that questioning "look"? However he did as he was instructed which Destined him to be not only a great teammate but the leader on the team. I had the privilege of following him all through his high school career and went to every baseball game the year they won the state championship. Oh by the way they also one in the American Legion state championship the same year Oh by the way they also one in the American Legion state championship the same year. I also remember painting sideburns on the side of his face for his senior play, who can imagine kids I can play baseball so well good also sing and dance! Brandt has been in our home many times and we cherish those memories. He had a positive impact in my family´s lives. He was a great friend to Derin and for that we thank you. Thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of his life. Zeke & Aubyn

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