John Burton Barnes, III

John Burton Barnes, III was born March 11, 1967, to Elizabeth McClelland Barnes and John Burton Barnes, Jr. He grew up in San Antonio and attended Camp Longhorn and Alamo Heights High School, graduating in 1985. He earned his college degree from the University of Texas at Austin where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Following his father's footsteps, he worked a lifelong career in insurance, at Eichlitz Dennis Wray and Westheimer, later Wortham Insurance, where he rose to Managing Partner.

Burton was active in many civic and social organizations in San Antonio, including the Texas Cavaliers, the San Antonio German Club, San Antonio Country Club, the Argyle Club, Chevaliers du Tastevin, and The Order of the Alamo where he served as President in 2004.

Above all, Burton adored his immediate family and was a loving son, husband, and father. He cherished gourmet cooking and humor with his daughter Bracken, and proudly embraced being a "house divided" as a lifelong Longhorn to his outstanding Aggie son Burton. He fell in love during college with Margaret, his perfect complement, and together they created a house of laughter and love.

Burton will be remembered by friends and family for his ribald sense of humor and love of fine wines, often engaged simultaneously. He savored many experiences in life, including barbecue sunsets and whalers on the beaches of La Jolla, traveling with family and friends to Africa, the Far East, Europe, Argentina, and more. He also loved cocktail cruises on Lake Diversion, jeep rides at Cuatro Paisanas Ranch, fishing on Falcon Lake, the Qualifier, Mission Belle, and the Mexican and Texas Coasts. He especially loved quail and dove hunting, and wine-swilling invitations by anyone who would have him. Despite political incorrectness, mockery and items unfit for print, countless friends all feel like they lost their best friend.

Burton was preceded in death by his father, John Burton Barnes Jr.; infant sister, Bonita Barnes; grandparents, Josephine West and Colonel Chalmer Kirk McClelland; grandparents, Gertrude Hale and John Burton Barnes, Sr., and father-in-law Robert Louis Marshall. He is survived by his devoted wife of 24 years, Margaret Marshall Barnes; son, John Burton Barnes IV; daughter, Bracken West Barnes; mother, Elizabeth McClelland "Libba" Barnes; mother-in-law, Martha Lewis Marshall, and lifelong "Segundo Madre," Janie Martinez. He is also survived by several sister- and brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, his Labrador, "Sugar"; fat snuggly Pug, "Chunk," and countless lifelong friends. Burton will be dearly missed by all.

SERVICE

MONDAY

JANUARY 25, 2016

3:00 P.M.

ALAMO HEIGHTS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

825 E. BASSE ROAD, 78209

Pallbearers are Grady Roberts, Thomas Tyng, Hamlet Newsom, Joe Bakke, Frates Seeligson, Drew Stewart, Shawn Wendell, Harding McEldowney, Barry Roberts, Shawn Gulley, Bart Koontz, Robin Brown, Lance Lahourcade, Duke Furrh and Triple Fuhrmann.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to the Texas Cavaliers Charitable Foundation, Post Office Box 6927, San Antonio, TX 78209 or the Bryan Museum in Galveston, Texas,1315 21st St. Galveston, TX 77550.