John Hayden (Jack) Barnes
1929 to 2016
John Hayden (Jack) Barnes died Feb. 12,
2016.
He was born March 22, 1929, in Holton,
the son of Clarence Russell and Vera Aileen Barnes, deceased, of
Holton.
Preceeded in death on October 12, 2008,
by his beloved wife, Alma Jeanne Barnes.
Jack and Alma Jeanne were married on
Dec. 25, 1951, in Netawaka. Jack is survived by his four sons, Gregg,
John, Bruce, and Robert; one brother Joseph and his wife Annette;
five grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
Jack was a graduate of Kansas State
College, with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1951, where he
was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. In college, he was
involved in vocal music with his fraternity. He was also in Army
ROTC, and graduated as a second Lieutenant.
After graduation, Jack was trained at
Officer's Candidate School at Ft. Benning, Georgia, and then
stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas. From there he was assigned to the
28th Infantry Division, leading a company of infantry in Augsburg,
Germany in 1952. He remained in the Army Reserves until 1959.
Jack started his career as the
Extension 4-H Agent in Brown County, Kansas, in 1953. He and Alma
Jeanne and three sons moved to Newton, Kansas, in 1959, where he took
the position of 4-H Agent for Harvey County. In Harvey County he held
the positions of 4-H Agent, Agricultural Agent, and Director of
Extension Services until his retirement in 1989. During this time, he
produced a local agricultural radio show, and wrote more than 1,500
newspaper articles for the Newton Kansan on Extension Services
topics.
Jack and Alma Jeanne were founders and
charter members of the Trinity Heights Methodist Church in 1962, with
their fourth son - Robert - being the first child born into the
congregation. Jack was a member of the Trinity Heights choir from its
inception in 1962 until 2012. In Jack's role as Director of
Cooperative Extension, he also headed numerous crop, livestock, and
4-H committees as well as managing the Harvey County Fair for many
years. He was also a member of the Newton Kiwanis Club and the
American Legion Post No. 2. He and Alma Jeanne enjoyed attending all
of their sons' football, wrestling, baseball, and music events.
In retirement Jack played many rounds
of golf with the Senior group at the Newton Golf Course, attended
K-State football games in Manhattan, and cared for his beloved Alma
Jeanne until her death in 2008. They were also involved with the
Harvey County Rural Life group, hosting trips to New York, Hawaii,
New England and San Diego.
He will be deeply missed and lovingly
remembered by his family and the community he served.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m.
Wednesday (Feb. 17, 2016) at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church
in Newton with The Reverend Donna Votoau presiding. Visitation will
be 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 16, 2016) at Petersen Funeral Home with
the family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Graveside committal
service with Military Honors will be 4 p.m. Wednesday at Holton City
Cemetery in Holton.
Memorials are suggested to Trinity
Heights United Methodist Church Music Dept. in care of Petersen
Funeral Home.
- 2016