John "Jack" F. Barnes

He was born on July 28, 1934 in Kansas City, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by: Father, John M. Barnes; Mother, Alice (Flanner) Barnes; Sister, Peggy (Barnes) Spencer; Brother, Jimmy Don Barnes; and sister-in-law, Colleen Barnes.

Jack is survived by his wife, Becky; Daughter, Lori Buell; Son, John Blair Barnes; Grandson, Nick (Kayla) Buell; Granddaughter, Leslie Buell; Grandson, Tyler (Jayme) Barnes; Great-Granddaughter, Aniyah Buell; Great Grandson, Waylon Barnes; Step Great Grandchildren, Daytin, Jaxtin, and Benny; Brother-in- law, Ron Spencer; Brother-in-law Sam (Sharon) Leslie; Nephews, Mark (Tawni) Barnes, Jeff Barnes, Doug (Ashley) Barnes; Nephew, Chad (Amanda) Leslie; and Niece, Allison Lambert, and several great nieces and nephews.

Jack grew up in Marceline, Missouri where he knew most everyone in town. His father died when he was seven and his mother struggled to provide for Jack, his sister, Peggy, and brother, Jimmy Don. He loved people and had many friends, He liked to tell stories about his growing up years. He especially loved children and would stop parents to interact. This time in his life was much like the show Happy Days. In Marceline, Kids met at Foleys (the teen center), Lohmar’s Drug Store for a coke, or cruised main street. He really liked sports. He was a member of the track and football teams. He boxed in the Golden Gloves. Through the years he watched a lot of football games and track meets. He kept in contact with his Marceline friends and went back for visits.

He joined the Airforce in 1953 along with Marceline buddies; Wayne Heins and Jerry Brooks. He served in the military for 4 years, two of which were in Japan. There he was a radio intercept operator. This job involved recording Russian messages. It was a classified job which was recognized years later at his military reunion as being very important. He received The National Defense Service Medal for that part of his service. For the rest of his life, he talked about the relationships he developed there.

After military service he went back to Marceline where he worked for the Santa Fe Railroad as a fireman in the switchyard. He continued to return to this job off and on while he attended Northeast Missouri State Teacher's College in Kirksville earning the degree of Bachelor of Science in Business. There he met his wife of 62 years, Rebecca Leslie. After graduating, they moved back to Marceline where their children, Lori Ann and John Blair, were born. In 1964, they moved to Kansas City, where Jack had various sales jobs and eventually worked for the Treasury Department where he helped people resolve claims.

Jack enjoyed hunting, fishing, and time spent on Becky’s family farm. Together he and Becky vacationed in the Ozarks, hiked in Colorado, and biked several sections of the Katy Trail. Times with family were times of love and laughter.

In August 2022, Jack went to live in Memory Care at Addington Place of Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Many people there, staff and caregivers, were a part of his ongoing care and sacrificed personal time to meet the needs of residents. The good care he received there is much appreciated.

Before memory care, Jack regularly attended Connection Point Church in Raytown, Missouri. In addition to going to Sunday Services, he helped serve family meals and was a greeter.

It will be remembered that Jack liked to talk, tell stories, and loved his family and friends.

A visitation for John will be held Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Floral Hills Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7000 BLUE RIDGE BLVD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64133, followed by a memorial service from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.