John H. “Jack” Barnes

John Hayden (Jack) Barnes

Son of Clarence Russell and Vera Aileen Barnes, deceased, of Holton, Kansas

Born March 22^nd, 1929, in Holton, Kansas

Died February 12^th, 2016.

Preceeded in death on October 12, 2008, by his beloved wife, Alma Jeanne Barnes .

Jack and Alma Jeanne were married on December 25^th, 1951, in Netawaka, Kansas.  Jack is survived by his four sons, Gregg, John, Bruce, and Robert, one brother Joseph and his wife Annette, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Jack was a graduate of Kansas State College, with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1951, where he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. In college, he was involved in vocal music with his fraternity.  He was also in Army ROTC, and graduated as a second Lieutenant.

After graduation, Jack was trained at Officer’s Candidate School at Ft. Benning, Georgia, and then stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas. From there he was assigned to the 28^th Infantry Division, leading a company of infantry in Augsburg, Germany in 1952.  He remained in the Army Reserves until 1959.

Jack started his career as the Extension 4-H Agent in Brown County, Kansas, in 1953. He and Alma Jeanne and three sons moved to Newton, Kansas, in 1959, where he took the position of 4-H Agent for Harvey County.  In Harvey County he held the positions of 4-H Agent, Agricultural Agent, and Director of Extension Services until his retirement in 1989.  During this time, he produced a local agricultural radio show, and wrote over 1500 newspaper articles for the Newton Kansan on Extension Services topics.

Jack and Alma Jeanne were founders and charter members of the Trinity Heights Methodist Church in 1962, with their fourth son – Robert – being the first child born into the congregation. Jack was a member of the Trinity Heights choir from its inception in 1962 until 2012.  In Jack’s role as Director of Cooperative Extension, he also headed numerous crop, livestock, and 4-H committees as well as managing the Harvey County Fair for many years.  He was also a member of the Newton Kiwanis Club and the American Legion Post #2 .  He and Alma Jeanne enjoyed attending all of their sons’ football, wrestling, baseball, and music events.

In retirement, Jack played many rounds of golf with the Senior group at the Newton Golf Course, attended K-State football games in Manhattan, as well as caring for his beloved Alma Jeanne until her death in 2008. They were also involved with the Harvey County Rural Life group, hosting trips to New York, Hawaii, New England and San Diego.

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his family and the community he served.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church in Newton with The Reverend Donna Voteau presiding. Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday evening at Petersen Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Graveside committal service with Military Honors will be 4:00 p.m. Wednesday at Holton City Cemetery in Holton, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to Trinity Heights United Methodist Church Music Dept. in care of Petersen Funeral Home.