Gerald Barnes

Gerald F. Barnes of Milton, Florida, entered his heavenly home on Monday, May 29, 2017. He was born October 30, 1919, in Baker, Florida, and moved to Milton, Florida, at the young age of five years old. In his early years he delivered newspapers and groceries on his bicycle. Later he worked for Alabama Dry Dock and Ship Building Company as a machinist apprentice. He married Irene Russell on October 10, 1942, in the First Baptist Church parsonage. In 1945, he went into business with his father, and built a new building for his own store called “Barnes Supermarket.” Gerald spent two decades in the grocery business. Beginning in 1950, he began his political career. He served on the Milton City Council for twelve years, as a County Commissioner for four years, and in 1973 he was elected to the Clerk of Courts and served for twenty years. He retired from that office in 1993. Gerald was an active member of First Baptist Church of Milton, serving as a Deacon, teacher, and director of the Junior Sunday School Department. He also served as the Director of the Adult I Sunday School Department. He was a charter member of Gideons International, Santa Rosa Camp, and a member of the Milton Kiwanis Club. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ottis and Vera Barnes; two brothers, Glennon Barnes and James Earl Barnes; one sister, Foye Reeves; his wife of 71 years, Irene Russell Barnes; and his beloved daughter, Deanna Jeannette Barnes. Gerald is survived by his son, Kenneth (Vickie) Barnes; four grandsons, Kenny (Elizabeth) Barnes, Korry (Ashley) Barnes, Klayton (Taylor) Barnes, and Kaleb (Lindsay) Barnes; four great-grandchildren, a sister, Elizabeth (Lonnie) Williams; and other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends at First Baptist Church, Milton, Florida, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Friday, June 2, 2017. Funeral Services will begin at 2:30 p.m. Interment will follow services in Milton Cemetery with Lewis Funeral Home, Milton, directing. Active pallbearers are his grandsons, Kenny, Korry, Klayton and Kaleb Barnes; Jeff Melton and Jason Summers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Gerald’s name to Regency Hospice or Gideons International. Regency Hospice online at www.regencyhospice.com or by mail to: Regency Hospice 50 Beverly Parkway, Suite 200 Pensacola, Florida 32505 Gideon’s International online at www2.gideons.org/donate or by mail to: Gideons International P.O. Box 140800 Nashville, Tennessee 37214