Max Grugan Barnes Jr.

Max Grugan Barnes, Jr. "Skip" passed away on June 26th, 2024, in Olympia, WA at the age of 80. He was born on July 29th, 1943, in Wyandotte, Michigan to Max Sr. and Marie Barnes. Max Jr. was the eldest of seven children. He graduated from Olympia High School in 1962. Shortly after high school, he attended trade school and then enlisted and served in the U.S. Air Force for four years. After his service in the U.S. Air Force, he attended South Puget Sound Community College and received an A.A. degree.

Max Jr. married Phyllis Alene Miller on December 2, 1967, at St. Michael Parish Church in Olympia, WA. He worked at the Olympia Brewing Company for 30 years, and he and Phyllis had two children together, a son and a daughter. While his kids were growing up, he enjoyed attending their school, sports, and academic events along with Phyllis. Large family gatherings were looked forward to and often spent at his parents' home during the holidays, along with his other siblings and their families. He also enjoyed spending time with his wife, kids, parents, and siblings at the family cabin in town. He liked yard work and had an excitement for tools, growing a sizable collection over the years. Max Jr. was an avid, competitive and impressive runner and entered numerous races in the local area. He was very committed and often received first place in his running age group and received a multitude of awards and ribbons. Later in life, he spent many cherished family celebrations at his son and daughter's separate homes in Olympia and Seattle along with their spouses and his grandkids. In retirement, many meetups with his retired brewery buddies over coffee kept him entertained. He was always generous in his willingness to lend a hand to family and friends. Max Jr. was a loyal and reliable dad, husband, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, friend, and grandfather. He will be remembered forever in our hearts and memories as a friendly, helpful, hard-working, fun-loving, lively spirit with tales of stories from years past to keep us entertained.

Max Jr.'s beloved wife of 50 years, Phyllis, preceded him in death on March 31, 2018. Max Jr. is survived by his two children: his son Brian Barnes (Tamara) and his daughter Kristine Pigotti (Gerry); five grandchildren, Max Barnes, Connor Barnes, Jack Barnes, Gavin Pigotti, and Nicholas Pigotti; six siblings: Michael Barnes (Sally), John Barnes (Jacque), Greg Barnes (Kim), Ann Marie Wissink (Bill), Suzanne Barnes, and Carolyn Elliott (Larry). Additionally, Max Jr. is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Private funeral services will be held at Mills & Mills Funeral Home & Memorial Park in Tumwater, WA on Wednesday, July 31st , 2024, at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to St. Michael Parish in Olympia, WA, or Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).