R. Warren Barnes Sr.

1923 - 2016

In Loving Memory
Our loving father, husband, grandfather and dear friend, R. Warren Barnes, passed from this earth on September 15 surrounded by family. He was born on May 6, 1923 to John C. and Bertha Barnes. His life was a long and remarkable one.
Warren spent his childhood in the Sugarhouse area. The family fought through the Great Depression, operating Crown Cleaners as a family. This is where Warren developed his entrepreneurial spirit.
Warren's teenage years were spent in South Jordan where his love of cars, vacuum tube radios and especially airplanes grew. It was here that he met Jacqueline Collett, whom he courted in high school and later married.
December 7, 1941 had a profound effect on Warren's life. He joined V12, the Naval officer training program at the University of Utah. He was called to active duty in 1943, performing flight training in San Luis Obispo, California; Norman, Oklahoma and Corpus Christi, Texas.
He flew a Martin Mariner PBM-5 anti-submarine patrol aircraft in the Pacific during WWII, and later in the Korean conflict. He was awarded two Naval Air Medals for flying 31 combat missions in theatre. He served a total of three active duty tours between 1943 and 1952.
Warren married Jacqueline in 1945 and together they raised three children, Susan (Dennis) Nielson, Robert (Pam) and David (deceased). Jackie passed away tragically in 1980.
Warren's entrepreneurial spirit blossomed following his years in the Navy. Warren and his close friend and partner, Gene Burbidge, opened a car business on State Street. Warren remembered those years fondly, though it must be acknowledged that they were somewhat less successful in launching a re-creation of the 1903 Merry Oldsmobile….can't win them all!
Warren later entered the commercial real estate business, partnering with Carl Hulbert in creating The Heritage House, one of Salt Lake's first premier wedding reception facilities. The entire Barnes family worked there for several years.
Warren married Joyce Rider in 1975. In 1978, while on vacation with their friends Wayne and Shirley Thornton, they discovered Hotel Cantamar in the sleepy coastal town of Mazatlán, Mexico. The Barnes and the Thortons purchased the hotel and over the years developed it into the 5 star, 218 suite, Inn at Mazatlán Resort. Many of Warren and Joyce's friends became early timeshare owners at The Inn, greatly contributing to the Inn's early success. Together the Barnes and Thorntons were pioneers in developing the timeshare concept in Mexico, and in the U.S. After the tragic loss of Wayne in 1990, Warren assumed full ownership and continued to develop The Inn. Warren would often acknowledge Joyce's invaluable contributions that made The Inn at Mazatlán the incredible resort it we know today. It was a marriage and partnership that lasted nearly 42 years.
Warren was much more than a successful businessman. He was an advocate for the less fortunate throughout his life. While in Japan during the war, he successfully petitioned his commanding officer to create and support an orphanage that remained in existence for more than a decade. Following the loss of his mother in 1964, he became a volunteer for the Salt Lake chapter of the American Cancer Society. He also helped support several orphanages in Mazatlán, making sure that his friends and guests at the Inn shared in the joy of improving the lives of these beautiful children. Many employees at the Inn benefitted from his generosity with medical and dental care that they otherwise could not have afforded. The loyalty he displayed to his employees has been returned many times over including the expressions of love the family has received with Warren's passing. The Inn's employees became an important part of his extended family.
Warren was successful on so many levels, but none more important than that of husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather. His kindness and compassion set an example for everyone he touched in his life. We will miss him dearly.
Warren was preceded in death by his parents John C. and Bertha, Jacqueline and his son David.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Society at alscrowd.org.
Funeral services will be held at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park on Monday, September 19, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. where family and friends may visit one hour prior to service. To share a memory, please visit www.dignitymemorial.com/wasatch-lawn-mortuary.