Donald Alvin Barnes

Don grew up in Salem and joined the US Navy. He was proud of his time in the military, retiring as Chief Warrant Officer 4. After retirement from the service, he performed maintenance for the Benedictine Sisters at Mt. Angel, Oregon and finished out his work-life with the state of Oregon, Department of Corrections.

Don loved the Oregon outdoors and loved fishing and hunting. Don also loved the sport of Pigeon racing, which kept him busy following his Navy retirement.

Don’s first marriage to Nancy C. Toelle in 1960 resulted in three children Mikel, Robin and Lisa. Don welcomed a stepdaughter Michelle in his second marriage to the love of his life, Cathy (Deitz) Reinwald in 1983. They enjoyed many adventures together. Last Veteran’s Day, they celebrated 40 years of marriage.

Michelle gave Don and Cathy their first two grandchildren, Raymond and Victor, whom they helped raise. Don loved to travel with his grandsons, having spent many summers fishing and camping, once spending a month in the Arctic Circle.

Lisa later gave Don and Cathy their next two grandsons, Seth and Nate, as well as his step-grandsons Derek and Tanner. Don enjoyed his time with his grandsons teaching them to fish and even helped them build an impressive tree house, which Don would brag about to his friends for years.

Don was preceded in death by his father Cecil Aaron Barnes Sr., mother Irene (Steinka) Toelle, brother Cecil Barnes Jr., sister Delores (Barnes) Goraum, grandson Raymond Deluna, grandson Victor Deluna, nephew Dennis Barnes, sister-in-law Cheryl (Dietz) Dunn and brother-in-law Gene Dunn.

Don is survived by his wife Cathy Barnes, children Mikel (Jeanne) Barnes, Robin (Rosalyn) Barnes, and Lisa (James) Haskins, stepdaughter Michelle Deluna, grandsons Seth and Nate Sasich, nephew Toby (Lisa) Doran, nieces Lacy Dunn, Brenda (Douglas) Vawser, Diane (Martin) Frankenhauser, and Melody Doran.

Military memorial service will be held at Willamette National Cemetery (11800 SE Mt. Scott Blvd., Portland OR) on March 21, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Serenity Hospice in Salem or a local hospice of your choice.