Louis Nelson Barnes

Louis "Nelson" Barnes of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on January 5, 2026. He was born on June 26, 1935, and raised in Poquoson, VA. He was the oldest son of Millard E. Barnes and Annie Octavia "Teny" Bunting Barnes.

As a young boy, Nelson was a member of BSA Troop 28, the Order of the Arrow, and Sea Scouts. He loved camping, fishing, and hiking the Appalachian Trail. With the guidance of his father, he built several homemade sailboats and skiffs to explore the local Poquoson waters.

Nelson graduated from Poquoson High School in 1953, where he was the first-chair clarinet player. Several years after graduation, he began his career path as a submariner with Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. and later with the Department of Defense, serving 18 and 22 years, respectively. He worked as a torpedo and missile fire-control specialist on many "fast attacks" and "boomers." In this role, he was often called upon to attend performance test sea trials prior to the delivery of newly commissioned and refitted submarines to the United States Navy. In addition, he performed emergency services for system failures in various locations throughout the Naval world.

Nelson enjoyed many hobbies, including researching his family genealogy, trading stocks, and cruising with his wife, Carol, to multiple destinations in the Caribbean and Europe. On their trips, they made lifelong friends and visited many historical sites, cities, and beaches.

Nelson was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Carol; his brothers, Beverly W. Barnes (Lilly) and Robert Neal Barnes (Sandra); his children, Kevin N. Barnes (Suzanne), Thomas E. Barnes, Kimberly A. Stephenson (Peter), and Tammy L. Hall; his stepson, Brian C. Highley (Tami); as well as numerous grandchildren and great- grandchildren.