Richard Frank Barnes

Richard Frank Barnes, of Steelville, MO, was born on Sunday, November 5, 1944 in St. Louis, MO to Osborn Phillip Barnes and Laura Josephine Barnes, nee Bartinikas.  He passed away on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis, MO at the age of 78 years, 3 months and 13 days.

Richard grew up in South St. Louis and graduated in the Class of 1962 from Bayless High School in Affton, MO. He was a left-handed pitcher, was drafted and played baseball in the Minor League for a while.  He later joined the United States Army where he served our country honorably during the Vietnam War.  Richard was a Military Police Officer in the Army working in the Criminal Investigation Division.  He later worked as a tax accountant and in sales after graduating from UMSL University and taking classes from the University of Indiana.

Richard married the love of his life, Nancy Ardel Gray on October 14, 1967 in De Lassus, MO and to this union three children were born.  When his children were young, he enjoyed coaching their sports teams, especially baseball and soccer.  He was a member of both the Shriners and Masons and stayed close with the Bayless Alumni Association.  Richard loved the Lord and was a member of Center Point Baptist Church in Steelville.  He enjoyed playing softball, fishing, telling PawPaw jokes, reading and watching FOX News.  He also gladly tolerated his wife’s love for dogs.  Most of all, Richard loved his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Osborn and Laura Barnes; parents-in-law Harry and Alma Gray; brothers Warren Geil, Wally Geil and Phillip Barnes; brothers-in-law Randall Gray and Arthur "Buzzy" Gray. 

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Nancy Barnes of Steelville, MO; children Phillip (Ronda) Barnes of Bucharest, Romania, Laura (Jeff) Black of Plano, TX, Rebecca (Nathan) Goulette of McKinney, TX and Kevin (Tricia) Reis of Collinsville, IL; grandchildren Nicole (Matt) Woolbright of Corpus Christi, TX, Phillip Barnes, Jr. "PJ" (Sydney) of Colerain, TX, Brittany (Micah) Smith of Victoria, TX, Randall "Randy" Black of Plano, TX, Rachel Black of Lubbock, TX, Noah Goulette of McKinney, TX, Nikki Hoffarth and Jessica Reis both of St. Louis, MO; great grandson Benaiah Woolbright of Corpus Christi, TX; sister-in-law Phyllis Barnes of St. Louis, MO; brother-in-law Harry Gray of Farmington, MO; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family chose cremation as his final disposition and will hold a Celebration of Life Gathering on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at their home (464 Hickory Rd, Steelville, MO).  Interment of Ashes will be on Monday, March 13, 2023 at 12:30 PM at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.

Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO. 

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