Ronald C. Barnes
1937 – 2016
Lt. Colonel Ronald C. Barnes, retired USAF, 79, died Saturday, February 6, 2016. He leaves his wife of 57 years, Beverly (Benge) Barnes, his three sons, Ronald C. Barnes II, who precedes him in death, David Barnes and his companion Rhonda Starnes of Chicago, Illinois, and Mike Barnes of Edmond, fellow airmen and many close friends. Ron is a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he earned several medals, including the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross and many other distinguished awards. He was born in Blackwell, OK, the son of Carl Barnes and Zula Mae (London) Barnes. While attending College High School in Bartlesville, OK, he was in the Army Reserves. After high school, he attended OSU and was honorably discharged from the Army Reserves. He graduated from the Aviation Cadet School and joined the United States Air Force in 1958. His 27 year military career saw him through many tours of Vietnam, and also served as a Forward Air Controller. He retired from active duty in 1982. After working in insurance and securities, he and the family acquired a lawn equipment repair company in Edmond and renamed it Edmond Lawn Equipment, where he served the community for 25 years. He was an avid fisherman, who loved golfing, hunting, camping, coaching his sons in football and baseball and other outdoor family activities. Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 11, 2016, 10 a.m. at Matthews Funeral Home, followed by graveside service at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Chandler, OK. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Foundation in memory of Ronald Barnes.
Ron will always have a special place in my heart. He and Beverly were so kind to me as a young man. I thank him for his selfless service to our Nation, his family and his friends. Our prayers are with the Barnes family and we pray that God grants them comfort in the joyous memories of their life together.