Kirk Lee Barnes

Born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, native Kirk Lee Barnes passed away in Farmington, Missouri.  Kirk was a member of the Crown Pointe Community of Farmington, Missouri for the past five years.  He is survived by brother and caregiver Lance Barnes and wife Monica of Farmington, Missouri and brother Mark Barnes of Bigelow, Arkansas and niece Shelby Barnes.

The Barnes children made many happy memories and loved growing up in the kid-friendly, developing neighborhood of Leawood during the 1960s and 70s.  Kirk was the classic youngest brother: friendly, carefree, easygoing and happy-go-lucky.  He was a member of the Hall High School Class of 1981 and his family attended St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.  

Among his proudest accomplishments were serving on the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk during the Persian Gulf War and participating in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. He viewed his fellow Navy veterans as special brothers.  During his final years, Kirk found joy in bird feeding, plant tending, and aquarium fish keeping. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, James T. “Jim” Barnes and Ruby “Lea” (Browning) Barnes; son James T. Barnes; sister Jamie Jones; and nephew Jason Jones.

Honorary pallbearers include Navy buddies Gary Bedalow, Pete Fisher, Kent “Hank” Handrich, Eugene “Huey” Quarrels and former classmates and friends, Kevin Hampson, Joe Medsker, Scott Rushin, and Chris Santa Cruz.

A visitation will be held on April 2^nd at Smith Family Funeral Home in Sherwood, Arkansas from 6:00-8:00 pm.  A graveside funeral service with military honors will be led by Rev. Canon Jason Alexander on April 3^rd at 11:00 am at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander, Arkansas.