Garry Lee Barnes

Lake Wabaunsee- Garry Lee Barnes, 72, of Lake Wabaunsee, KS, passed away Thursday, June 30 at Stormont-Vail Health Care of Topeka following a lengthy illness. Garry was born October 8, 1943 in Kansas City, Kansas the son of Cleon and Geraldine (O’Neil) Barnes. He grew up in Hayesville, KS. His family moved to Seattle, WA and later to Vashon Island,WA., where he graduated from high school in 1961. He then joined the Marines and served in Viet Nam as a gunner and then as a supply runner from 1965-1966 until his honorable discharge. After serving his country in Viet Nam, he worked for Golite Contractors, building towers. In 1970 he moved to Kansas and worked as a mechanic in Manhattan, KS. During this time he bought old WWII planes and restored them with the help from his friend Larry Moon. Garry received his Pilot License in 1978. In 1986 he started working for Blue Stem Auto as a mechanic until just a few years ago when he retired. Garry was married to Sue Berroth in 1971. They were divorced in 1987. He married Linda Haller in 1988, she survives of the home. His passion was buying and restoring old planes. He was very creative and could build or fix just about anything. He loved the outdoors and spending time with his family. Survivors include: his wife, Linda Barnes, of Lake Wabaunsee; his mother, Geraldine Barnes, Spokane, WA; four children: Monique Angel (Jerry) of Olathe, KS, Tyson Barnes of Yuma AZ, Chad Schmitz (Amy) of Alma, KS, Kelly Oliver (Jason) of Maple Hill, KS; two sisters, Judy McMains of Houston, TX, Nancy Cerna of Seattle, WA; three brothers: Larry Barnes (Sandy) and Dennis Barnes (Pam) both of Spokane, WA, Roger Barnes (Pam) of Great Falls, MT; nine grandchildren: Larry, Madison, Allie, Kayla, Emily, Canyon, Abby, Cade, Eli; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Cleon Barnes, his brother, Danny Barnes (1967 in Viet Nam), and a brother-in-law, Jess Cerna. Mr. Barnes has been cremated. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 9th at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newbury, KS. The family will greet friends during a time of visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. until time of the funeral services. Memorials are suggested to the “Garry Barnes memorial fund”, to be designated later, and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home of Alma, PO Box 126, Alma, KS 66401. Online condolences may also be left at www.stewartfuneralhomes.com.