Richard W. "Dick" Barnes, 82, of Jacksonville, FL, formerly of Witt, died Friday, Feb. 1, 2019, after a long illness. He succumbed after a three-day hospitalization, surrounded by loving family.
Graveside services, with full military rites, were held Thursday, Feb. 7, at Jacksonville National Cemetery.
Mr. Barnes was born April 18, 1936, in Granite City, to Arvil and Ella Barnes. He married Yvonne, and she survives.
In 1942, his family moved to Witt, where he attended Witt schools, graduating with the class of 1954.
He joined the U.S. Navy and served from June 1954 until October 1974, gaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He was chief of the Clay County Fire Department and helped develop the charter for the Clay County Fire Association.
After his retirement from the Navy, he served as a security guard for the Federal Reserve Bank in Jacksonville until 1997. After retiring from the bank, he had a third career when he joined a security agency assigned to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He enjoyed 17 years working alongside players, staff and coaches.
After retirement, he and his wife enjoyed traveling and watching the Florida Gators and Jaguars play football.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Rick (Jean) Barnes of St. Augustine, FL, James (Lori) Barnes of Ocean City, MS, David (Kelly) Barnes of Belleville; daughter, Brenda Guyton of Jacksonville, FL; two stepsons, Brian (Tracy) Smiley of West Palm, FL, and Michael (Kelley) Smiley of Jacksonville, FL; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren; a sister, Mary Jean Scheller-McCall and a brother, Alvin "Del" (Linda) Barnes, both of Nokomis.
