John Allen Barnes

1970 - 2018

Sergeant Major John Allen Barnes
1970 ~ 2018
Sergeant Major John Allen Barnes, 47, passed away Tuesday, November 13, 2018 in El Paso, Texas.
John was born on December 17, 1970 to Janet Hinkle and Steve Barnes in Boise, Idaho. He was raised by Janet and step-father Barry and attended Lake Hazel Elementary and graduated from Meridian High School in 1989. He enrolled at the University of Idaho for one year before enlisting in the U.S. Army in November 1990.
John graduated Ranger School in 1992. He spent the next 10 years at Fort Lewis as part of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Regiment. While at Fort Lewis he met the love of his life, Susan and her daughter, Lakota. John and Susan were married on January 15, 2000 in Fort Lewis, Washington.
After Fort Lewis, John and his family were transferred to Fort Benning, Georgia assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment. It was during this time that he and Susan were blessed with their daughter, Alescia. He was transferred to Fort Richardson, Alaska where he was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 23 Infantry Regiment. During his time in Alaska, John deployed for 16.5 months to Iraq.
He was then assigned to Fort Polk, Louisiana. There he served in multiple positions, including the Joint Readiness Training Center with the 1-509th and post command. He was also promoted to First Sergeant at Fort Polk.
He was then deployed to Afghanistan as part of Task Force Paladin.
John was then transferred to Fort Bliss, Texas to attend the U.S. Army Sergeant Major Academy and promoted to Sergeant Major in May 2015. He was selected to participate in the United States Army Sergeant Major Academy Fellowship Program.
Throughout his career, John earned several military awards and badges, including Pathfinder, Airborne, Jumpmaster, Mountain Warfare, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, fourth award; Army Good Conduct Medal, ninth award.
John was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt, ski, hike and mountain bike. John was known for giving time to each person that he met. He was one of those people you were lucky to meet. He loved to work hard, play hard and laugh hard. He will be missed by all who knew him and had any contact with him.
John is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Susan; daughter, Lakota (Joseph) Fletcher and their daughter, Rileigh; and daughter, Alescia Barnes; mother, Janet (Barry) Hinkle, and father, Steve Barnes; siblings: Janenne Ellis, Ben Hinkle, Sarah Barnes and Ryan Barnes; in-laws, William and Cathy Haymond; and grandmother, Louise Thurman. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Dave Parsels and fraternal grandmother, Nancy Smart.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Legacy Church, 1507 N. Meridian Rd., Meridian followed by a graveside service at Meridian Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Accent Funeral Home, Meridian. Remembrances may be left for the family at www.AccentFuneral.com.