Mikal Linwood Barnes "Mike" Barnes

Hoping to reconnect with Mikal I found this site and was saddened to learn of his passing. I was his teaching assistant in German at Brevard College in 1970-71. He introduced me to the joy of eating fresh vegetables and I went on to become a chef. He was a well rounded and fascinating individual.

Mikal Barnes was a friend from time we were freshmen together at Wake Forest. He was brilliant, candid, enthusiastic, imaginative and unafraid to be himself. He made his mark on all who knew him, and the left us better than he found us.

My deepest sympathy to Carmina and the family. I will always remember Mikal singing Volare in Italian with The Shepherd's Center Singers and growing the most wonderful vegetables I have ever eaten. His was a life well-lived.

I offer my sincerest condolences to Carmina, Mikal's children and all those who knew and love him. I enjoyed the time I sang tenor with Mikal and learned a lot from the questions he'd ask and the input he'd share. May God bless his family and may He help console their sadness during this time. This I say with all sincerity.

I offer greatest thoughts of compassion to Carmina and Mikal´s family. I met him through the Shepherd Center Singers. He contributed his talents and happy personality to our group. He was always joking and speaking in a foreign language! He will be remembered well! Sail on to new adventures Mikal! God be with you and Carmina. Susan

My deepest sympathy to Carmina and the family. Mike was my college roommate at Wake and we had many great times together in college and in life. He was a unique human being and very creative. I cherish the wonderful memories we shared. Dan Jones

My deepest condolences to those Mikal has left behind. It was my pleasure to know you. When I think of you I will not only think of your beautiful rendition of Volare but also of your gifts of potatoes, tomatoes, watermelons. Godspeed my friend. Liz Sanders

I offer my sympathy to Mikal's family and friends. I remember when I first met him thinking that he was a special person. He was handsome dressed really well and he was friendly and personable. I'm glad he had such a great life, doing things he enjoyed, getting a great education, and it seems he never stopped learning and wanting to be of help to others, just what I would have expected of him. God bless him and those he's left behind. Fondly, Carolyn

I was shocked and deeply saddened to pick up the paper this morning and find that Mikal Barnes died last week. We were classmates at Wake Forest and kept up somewhat irregularly in recent years. He wrote me a few weeks ago about his resolve to master another language. That seemed so much like Mikal. To say that he was a uniquely talented person seems a bit of an understatement. I am among the many who will miss him.