JAMES LUTHER BARNES, 62, was born to James Williams
Barnes, Jr. & Jerri Jackson Barnes on Nov. 17, 1934 in
Weatherford. He was reared in Ranger TX & attended school
there graduating in 1953. While in high school, J.L.
excelled in football, lettering all four years and was
named first team all-district his Junior and Senior years.
He was voted Class Favorite his Sophomore year.
In March of 1954, J.L. married Betty Pounds (RHS-1952) and
they had twin sons, Garry & Larry. He joined the U.S. Air
Force in 1955 and for the next 20 years served his country
honorably. He was a radar operator in the North American
Defense Command and all of his overseas assignments were in
remote places such as Stephenville, Newfoundland; Nikolski,
Alaska; Korea, and Vietnam. He retired from the Air Force
in 1975 with honors. In 1977, he married Celia Quezada.
J.L. had six grandchildren and 3 step-grandchildren. Larry's
children are Lindsay Susanne, Patrick Dwaine, Kevin Joseph,
and Shelley Lanelle. Garry's children are Brandon Dulane, and
Ashley Brooke, step-children, Cameron, Brian, and Catherine
Gibson.
J.L. passed away March 28, 1997, after a short and courageous
battle with lung cancer. He was survived by his sons, grand-
children, one sister, Shirley Barnes McLeod, one step-sister,
Mary Barnes Clifton (RHS-1968), three step-brothers, Ricky
Oatman, Bill Barnes (RHS-1972) & Ben Barnes (RHS-1975). A
step-brother, Leo Oatman was killed in Vietnam. His mother,
Jerri Oatman also survived him & is still living in Weather-
ford at this time. His widow, Celia, lives in Round Rock.
J.L. was buried in Brownsville, TX, with full Military Honors.
More pictures