Jack Elmer Barnes passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife, Joyce, at his side on December 30, 2024.
Jack was born to Samuel and Bernice (Norwood) Barnes on May 28, 1931, in Washington, Kansas. Shortly after his sister, Patricia, was born in 1933, the Barnes family moved to Oakdale, California, where Jack’s younger brother, Denny, was born in 1939. Jack went on to attend schools in the area and graduated from Oakdale High in 1949. Jack married his first wife and started a family in 1951. Jack and his family of four children, Don, Larry, Shellie, and Jackie, moved to Nevada in the early 1960s, eventually settling in Fallon in 1970. Jack met and married the love of his life, Joyce, in 1973 and adopted Joyce’s young daughter, Bridgette, and later, her children, Carl and Zoie. Jack and Joyce have called Fallon home for the entirety of their 51-year marriage.
Jack became employed at Kennametal Inc. in 1972 and retired in 1993, to farm full-time, while Joyce continued to teach English at the high school until she retired in 2007.
Jack always had a passion for his family, home, and community. A close second to family was the passion for his cattle. Starting early in life, Jack had a keen interest in the American Milking Shorthorn breed. He purchased his first purebred heifer at the age of 13 at a California breeder’s sale. He owned a small herd of milk cows during his high school years and sold milk to cover his expenses, including a car. He was active in the Future Farmers of America and earned the prestigious American Farmer Award in 1950. He grew and developed his herd, showing at county fairs, as well as at the California State Fair, before moving to Nevada. Jack maintained his herd of Milking Shorthorns throughout his life – reluctantly, selling his last prized bull earlier last year. During his career with Milking Shorthorns, Jack served on the Association's Board of Directors and was recognized as National Breeder of the Year in 2015.
Jack was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. He enjoyed attending family reunions, class reunions, and family vacations to Yachats, Oregon, where he loved to walk the beach and dine at local seafood restaurants. Jack also had a passion for general aviation, and owned a Cessna 172 for several years, and developed Fallon Southwest Airpark, on his property on Solias Road. He and Joyce were season ticket holders for the 49ers and really enjoyed getting away to San Francisco for games and restaurant visits. He always appreciated a good joke or story and loved retelling them to family and friends. Near the end, Jack remarked that he enjoyed a great ride during his life and felt blessed. He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.
Jack is survived by his wife, Joyce; sister-in-law, Esther Barnes; children Don (Chris) Barnes, Larry (Annette) Barnes, Shellie (Roy) Walker, Jackie (Kevin) Baily, Carl (Megan) Barnes, and Zoie Barnes; six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Patricia Titchenal, brother, Denny Barnes, and daughter Bridgette Barnes.
A Celebration of Life will be arranged at a later date this coming summer. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation in memory of Jack to St. John’s Lutheran Church at 1170 S. Taylor St. Fallon, NV 89406.
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