Jerry B. Barnes

We lovingly honor and commemorate the great Patriarch of our family, Jerry B. Barnes.

Jerry passed away August 6, 2023 in Gainesville, at the age of 91.

Mr. Barnes was born August 29, 1931 in Oklahoma City to J. B. and Dolly Evelyn (Little) Barnes.

Jerry grew up in an oil field family.  He continued his family's business into his adult years until he retired.  He co-owned and operated two businesses: Barnes Bros. Well Servicing and Indian Oil Company.

Mr. Barnes met his wife of 65 years, Sharon Wood, in 1956.  They knew each other less than a month before they were married.  After returning home from a school dance, Sharon’s father greeted them both with a gun.  However, instead of staying to face the consequences of keeping Sharon out too long, they jumped back in the car and headed to Arkansas where they secretly eloped.  They were married for sixty-four years, until the passing of Sharon in 2020.

Jerry and Sharon converted to Catholicism not long after they married.  He continued to be a devout Catholic for the rest of his life.  He was very active in the church as a Sunday morning Lector and was also a member of ACTS.

Mr. Barnes was very proud of his five children and loved his family very much.  He loved to travel, snow ski, ride his bicycle, and work on his farms.  He was a voracious reader of all literature and his passion for watching football was his life.  He was the life of every party and his knack for storytelling was unmatched by anyone.  He will forever be remembered in all of our hearts.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law Lynn and Charlie Haverkamp of Gainesville; daughter and son-in-law Jana and Dan Fisher of Lindsay; daughter Kris Brown of Richardson; son and daughter-in-law Paul and Niki Barnes of Denton; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; sister Ina Lu Francis of Homosassa, FL; special friend Larry Cox.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; wife Sharon D. Barnes; daughter Carol Ann Marler; son-in-law Everett Marler; sister Barbara Abbey.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 10:30 AM on Friday, August 18, 2023 with Fr. John Pacheco officiating.  Inurnment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery.  A rosary will be recited at the church starting at 10:00 AM Friday, before mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic School, 931 N. Weaver, Gainesville, TX 76240, or www.smsmustangs.com, or donate to Meals On Wheels, PO Box 1235, Gainesville, TX 76240, or www.mowot.org.