Richard “Dick” Barnes
Richard “Dick” Barnes passed away on Jan. 9, 2021.
He was born to Vesta and Pearle Barnes in Park County, the fourth child of a family with five boys. He graduated from high school in 1947. In 1950, he married Margaret Ann Ringo. That same year he enrolled at Indiana State University, from which he graduated in 1953 with a BA in Business & Accounting. After graduation, he took a job at General Foods in Evansville as a general accountant. His next career move was to Sun Metal Products in Warsaw as controller. He worked at Sun Metal for 25 years becoming an executive vice-president and part owner. In 1982, he moved to North Carolina to own and operate Sunline Hardware in King, N.C.
By 1987, he had reached a turning point in his career, at which time he became an executive personnel recruiter in Winston-Salem, N.C.
In 1990, he married Janet “Tracy” Snyder from Winston-Salem, N.C. By 2002, at the age of 73, he finally decided to do something he had always dreamed of doing. He became a real estate broker. He began his career with Century 21 of the Triad, making him a very happy man. The rest is history.
Over the next 18 years, he became an accomplished and respected real estate broker. He was so well known that in June of 2019, Fox 8 News produced a human interest story on him for the “Buckley Report”. At the age of 90, he was the oldest, active realtor in the Triad.
In August 2019, he suffered a major stroke but by the grace of God he was spared. Miraculously, 10 months later in June of 2020, he was able to resume his career at age 91. On Saturday, Jan. 9, while doing a “walk through” on a home he had sold for Allen Tate Realtors in Winston-Salem, the Lord finally decided to take him home. He did not suffer and passed away with his wife of nearly 31 years by his side. He was two months short of 92.
If people were asked to describe him only using adjectives they would surely say: true gentleman, compassionate, gentle, loving, honest, ethical, helpful, generous, patient, forgiving, funny, story teller and hardworking. He died doing what he loved best in the world next to family. He can rest now without all that hard work…for which I am sure he will complain about to St. Peter.
Preceding Dick in death were his parents; beloved wife: Margaret Ann; and brothers: Norman, Bart, and Marion Barnes. He leaves behind a brother: Ron (Linda) Barnes; sons: David (Patti) and Alan (Judy) Barnes; step-daughter: Elisha Burgess (Mark); six grandchildren: Ryan, Nathan, Steven, Megan, Stephen and Katelynn; three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; dear friends; and respected clients and colleagues.
A memorial service will be held at a later date to be announced.