Robert Bruce Barnes II

BARNES, Robert Bruce II 64, died Wednesday, Dec. 8, at his home on St. George Island after a long battle with cancer. A retired special agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Bruce grew up on the Gulf Coast near St. Petersburg. He was born Dec. 5, 1946, in Phoenix, AZ. The son of the late Robert Bruce Barnes Sr., and Georgia A. Barnes. A Vietnam veteran, he served there with the U.S. Army 19th Engineer Battalion from Jan. 1966 - Dec. 1967. Bruce earned a bachelor's degree in criminology in 1973 from Florida State University and served as a police officer in Fort Lauderdale from 1973 - 1976, a special agent with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) in Mobile, AL. from 1976 - 1980, and a special agent with the DEA from 1980 until his retirement in Dec. 2003. Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Sabra A. Thornton; daughters, Brittany Thornton Barnes, and Courtney Thornton Barnes, all of St. George Island; his mother, Georgia A. Barnes; and brother, Patrick M. Barnes, both of St. Petersburg. A celebration of Bruce's life is planned for Friday, Jan. 7 at 2 pm at the St. George Plantation Owners' Association lodge on St. George Island. Interment and a memorial service are planned for Friday, Jan. 14 from 12:45 - 1:15 pm at Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg, immediately followed by a reception at Sweet Sage Restaurant. Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home in Tallahassee is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice in Tallahassee, the American Cancer Society, or a charity of one's choice.