Rev. Eddie John Barnes Sr.

Eddie John Barnes, Sr. died Jan. 16, 2013, at 2:20 a.m. at the age of 89. A wake will be held at the Ochelata Baptist Church on Friday evening, January 18, 2013, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Funeral services for Mr. Barnes will be held Saturday, January 19, at 11 a.m. at the Ochelata Baptist Church. Rev. E.J. Barnes Jr., Director of Missions, North Grand River Baptist Association, Trenton, MO, will officiate. Assisting will be Rev. Kevin Barnes of Legacy Church in Kansas City, MO; Rev. Dave Compston of the Bartlesville Westside Baptist Church; Rev. Tom Cox of Bartlesville First Baptist Church; and Rev. Brian Myers of the Ochelata Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the Ramona cemetery with full military rites accorded by the Ramona American Legion Post 334. Eddie was born in Ramona, Oklahoma, on September 16, 1923, to Viola Marie Willey Barnes and Harrison McKinley Barnes. He attended Ramona Public School for his early education. He joined the Navy during WWII, serving 30 months on the USS Pursuit 108 mine sweeper in the South Pacific and participating in 17 invasions. After his discharge from the Navy, he graduated from Chilloco Indian School. In 1948, Eddie married Leona Bennefield. They have been married 64 ½ years. Eddie worked for Great Lakes Pipe Line Co. for several years but resigned when he was led to become a minister. To prepare himself for the ministry, he furthered his education by attending and graduating from Oklahoma Baptist University. Before attending the Southern Baptist Seminary for a short time, he served as a missionary with the Southern Baptist mission board with the American Indians at Sallateeska Indian Mission in Shawnee, OK. He then pastored the Baptist Church in Bowring, OK, for three years. Later he returned to Ochelata, where he served the Ochelata Baptist Church for 25 years. During these years, he worked at Woolaroc in the Y-Indian Guide Center or as the Assistant Director of Washington-Osage County Head Start program. Eddie was a loving husband and father to his family and a dedicated leader in the churches he served. He is survived by his wife, Leona, of the home,three children and their spouses: E.J. Barnes and his wife, Diann; Binnie Gullane and her husband, Jim; and Mollie Martin and her husband, Wayne; nine grandchildren: Metasha Olson and husband Brandon; Heath Spalding and wife Nicki; Kevin Barnes and wife Andrea; Misha Spalding; James Spalding; Daniel Martin; Karah Mesplay and husband Mark; Kelly Love and husband, Andy; and Elizabeth Martin; and 18 great grandchildren; two brothers: Howard Barnes and his wife, Betty, of Ochelata; and Ray Barnes of Bartlesville. He was preceded in death by his parents Harrison and Viola Barnes, one son Byron Barnes, two brothers Bernard (Joe) Barnes and Clarence (Bill) Barnes, and one sister Clara Bell. Eddie will leave a host of other relatives and friends who will miss him. Arrangements are under the direction of the Davis Family Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.davisfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Rev. Eddie John Barnes Sr.

September 16, 1923 - January 16, 2013