Howard Lucious Barnes

Howard Lucious Barnes (93) of Ochelata went to be with the Lord October 31, 2018. He is preceded in death by his parents Harrison and Viola Barnes, four brothers, Joe, Bill, Ed, and Ray Barnes, sister Clara Bell Barnes, and granddaughter Miranda Barnes. Howard is survived by his wife Betty, three sons Rick, Lindsay (Carolyn) and Sydney (Marla) Barnes. He has seven grandchildren Brittney Palomino (Devin), Jordan Barnes, Amanda and Bailey Barnes, Chase Stevens, Megan Morgan, and Adam Barnes. He has three great grandchildren, Jaxon Barnes, Jovie Coleman, and Rexie Palomino. Howard was born August 17, 1925 in Ramona, Oklahoma. He enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and was honorably discharged in 1945. During his service in the Navy during WW II, he was aboard LST 495 as part of the Normandy Invasion. In 1946, he married Betty Leone Sarcoxie in Independence, Kansas. They celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary last August. Howard retired from TRW-Reda Pump after over 30 years of employment. Howard was civic minded and served the town of Ochelata in several capacities. He served both as mayor and member of the town council. He was one of the signers of the incorporation papers for the Ochelata Volunteer Fire Department which helped lower the cost of insurance for home owners. He was a member of the school board for Ochelata Independent School District until its consolidation with Ramona ISD. In Ochelata, he was active in youth recreational sports and coached boys in baseball, basketball, and flag football. He also coached girls’ softball. Several of his teams won league championships. Howard was proud of his native American heritage and served on the Delaware Indian Tribal Council. He was awarded two eagle feathers for his contributions to the tribe. He was a faithful servant to the Lord through the Ochelata Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School and served as Sunday School Superintendent rarely missing during his 58 plus years of attendance. His children say family vacations were often planned for Monday through Saturday so that they could be in church on Sunday. He was a fierce competitor playing on industrial league softball and bowling teams. He won horseshoe tournaments at the company picnic, but perhaps the fiercest competitions came at the family domino table. During his lifetime, Howard touched many lives. He never met a stranger and was willing to help anyone in need. Howard was a loving husband and a devoted father to his three sons. He was very active in their lives. As a child who grew up during the depression era of Oklahoma, he was content with his life. He had a good work ethic, respected others, and was a man who stayed committed to his word. A book written by news journalist Tom Brokaw identified people of Howard’s generation as the “The Greatest Generation”. Howard certainly was a member. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 10 at Ochelata United Methodist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home – Dewey Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Howard Lucious Barnes

August 17, 1925 - October 31, 2018