Rodney Ellsworth Barnett

He was born on December 20, 1925 in Hanford, California to George Radiotis Pappas and Bertie (Barnett) Pappas and grew up in Santa Rosa, California. Rod’s father emigrated from Greece to America in 1912 and he was a fourth generation Californian on his mother’s side, a descendent of Elias Barnett, who was a pioneer with the Bidwell-Bartelson Party of 1841 and involved with the Bear Flag Revolt.

Growing up, he was involved in Boy Scouts of America, earning Eagle Scout Rank with three palms. As an adult, he earned the Silver Beaver Award, Outstanding Leadership Award, Order of the Arrow, and Woodbadge. He also served as Council Commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America Sequoia Council as well as many summers as Camp Chawanakee Commissioner.

Rod saw active service in the US Army from 1944 to 1946 as a Staff Sergeant and fought as a mortar crew member on Mindanao, Philippines and was awarded the Purple Heart for a wound received during combat. Upon his honorable discharge from the service, he returned to Santa Rosa to attend college where he met and married June Phyllis Spliethof on December 18, 1949. They moved to Fresno in February 1950 where Rod attended Fresno State College where he had hoped to play on the football team. Unfortunately, he was rejected because he had played football with the Santa Rosa Bonecrushers, a semi-professional team.

Rod and June settled into life in Fresno, raising their three sons and daughter in the same home they moved into in 1956. As their children grew, he continued his involvement in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the YMCA Indian Guides and Maidens. He worked for the City of Fresno for 37 years, retiring as a Supervising Engineering Tech 4.

Rod is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, June; sons Rodney W. Barnett, Philip Barnett, Mathew Barnett (wife Michelle); his daughter, Helen A. Clark ( husband Douglas); brother Robert Barnett (wife Patricia) of Reston, Virginia; sister Bernice Munoz and her husband Frank; grandchildren, John Anthony Davis ( wife Kristen); Anthony S. Morales (wife Jenna); Brandon, Mason, Mallory, and Madolyn; great grandchildren Robert and Jason Rodney, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Santa Rosa High Foundation, PO Box 11006 Santa Rosa, CA 95406.