Gary Dallas Barnes

1945 - 2024

Gary Dallas Barnes was born November 25, 1945, in Stuttgart, Arkansas. He died at Hospice of Lenawee in Adrian, Michigan, on January 15, 2024, following complications due to bacterial meningitis. He was 78. 
Gary graduated from Stuttgart High School in 1964. After serving as a U.S. Marine in the Vietnam War, he completed courses at University of Arkansas Little Rock and at Henderson State University; he married Sherry Barnes in 1970. Their sons are Mason Barnes (Malvern, Arkansas) and Collin Barnes (Hillsdale, Michigan). 
Gary moved with his family from Magnet Cove, Arkansas, to Paris, Texas, in 1990 for a position as a large-machine mechanic at Kimberly Clark Corporation. He retired from this position in 2012 and in 2019 moved with Sherry to Hillsdale, Michigan, to be near his granddaughters Drue (14), Paige (12), and Blythe (9). Known to them as "Pops," he was their chauffer, their homework coach, their lap-to-climb-on and head-of-hair-to-brush, their craft-supplier, candy-dispenser, and loving jokester. 
He is preceded in death by his parents, Mancel and Velma Barnes, and his brother, Al Barnes. He is survived in death by his wife, his sons, daughters-in-law-Amber Barnes (married to Mason) and Meghan Barnes (married to Collin)-three granddaughters, two bonus grandchildren (Dillon Hall and Madison Fulmer), and two sisters (Marion Stevenson and Juan Barnes Ferriter).
A quiet and patient man of magnanimous heart, Gary would do anything for those he loved. In recent years, he became an active member of his church community in Hillsdale, supporting the work of Christ's church in humble and hidden ways. 
With eyes to see and ears to hear, he knew the meaning of the phrase, "faith is the confidence of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Throughout life he prayed for strength, wisdom, courage, and understanding. By grace, he had all of these. 
Gary was a relentless tinkerer, the finest handyman, and a natural engineer. Gifted at solving all varieties of mechanical problems at work and at home, he enjoyed tools, spending time in his garage, improving his home, and camping in Arkansas and Michigan with Sherry in the 1990 Airstream trailer he personally restored. Although camping grew less frequent with time, the trips did not; destinations were simple, but fun, and often less important than the people they went with (church friends) or to see (family). 
Most of all, Gary will be remembered for his love of family. Though he had no trouble communicating this love in words, it was his mere presence that said it best. He will say it again in the resurrection. His family looks forward to that day. 
Memorial services for Gary Barnes will be held Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 11:00 AM, at College Baptist Church in Hillsdale with Pastor Ben Cuthbert officiating with a visitation beginning at 10:00AM.  Private family interment will take place at Magnet Cove Cemetery in Malvern, Arkansas at a later time.  Arrangements are entrusted to VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale. 
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the "Building Addition" fund of College Baptist Church in Hillsdale, Michigan by visiting www.collegebaptist.org and clicking "Give."