Gary Dean Barnes
June 12, 1959 — December 7, 2024
Gary Dean Barnes, 65, of Gravesville, passed from this earth on Saturday, December 7, 2024. He was born on June 12, 1959, in Trumann, Arkansas. He was of the Baptist faith.
Gary was a lifelong musician who performed country music and rock & roll with ease. He was a songwriter, singer, and talented guitarist but most of all a highly-skilled drummer. With his first set of starburst Rogers drums he was hooked. As a young boy and teen he played professionally all over central Arkansas with the family band at corporate events, private parties, and in the occasional honky-tonk. Gary continued performing locally as a hobby until 2020, making music for 55 of his 65 years.
After attending South Side High School in Bee Branch, AR, Gary served in the military where he was stationed with the U.S. Army at Fort Knox, KY and Fort Hood, TX. As part of the 1st Cavalry Division, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, he excelled as an armored crewman tank driver and heavy equipment mechanic specialist where he worked on, tested, and restored models such as the Pershing, Patton, and Abrams tanks. Gary earned an honorable discharge in 1979.
Upon returning to civilian life he continued work as a diesel mechanic then later became a truck driver, safely transporting everything from produce to farm implements to jet fuel. Although it was physically hard work that took a toll on his health, Gary (mostly!) enjoyed his career as a fuel hauler. The “Cookie Monster” made lasting friendships across the miles and years and airwaves.
Gary is survived by his sweetheart and wife of 48 years, Glenda Jean, and by devoted sons Gary Allen [Carrie] and Rusty Gene [Christy]. He was proud a grandfather to Kelsey, Nathan, Linzie, Chase, and Luke. Gary was the most doting Pa to great-grandchildren Kensley and Shawn. He is also survived by dear brother Matthew Barnes and sister Sandra Jacobs. Gary was brother-in-law to Loyd, Ronney, and Janie Barnum, uncle to several nieces and nephews, and a great friend to many. Gary was preceded in death by cherished son Daniel Dean Barnes, parents Roy Lee and Elsie [Turner] Barnes, and sister Diana Ward.
Gary deeply loved his wife and the sons she blessed him with. He will be remembered for many things. Among these will be his kind soul, his hard work, affinity for cool old cars, fantastic musical abilities, and his ridiculously comical sense of humor.
Visitation will be Thursday, December 12 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Wilcox Family Funeral Home, 108 N. Broadview Street, Greenbrier, AR 72058. Services will be held there on Friday, December 13 at 2:00pm, with Pastor Adam Leonard officiating.
In lieu of flowers, your contributions to local veterans’ support organizations would best honor Gary’s memory. As a disabled veteran himself, Gary understood firsthand the need for physical and mental healthcare advocacy for all service members.
Gary was a lifelong musician who performed country music and rock & roll with ease. He was a songwriter, singer, and talented guitarist but most of all a highly-skilled drummer. With his first set of starburst Rogers drums he was hooked. As a young boy and teen he played professionally all over central Arkansas with the family band at corporate events, private parties, and in the occasional honky-tonk. Gary continued performing locally as a hobby until 2020, making music for 55 of his 65 years.
After attending South Side High School in Bee Branch, AR, Gary served in the military where he was stationed with the U.S. Army at Fort Knox, KY and Fort Hood, TX. As part of the 1st Cavalry Division, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, he excelled as an armored crewman tank driver and heavy equipment mechanic specialist where he worked on, tested, and restored models such as the Pershing, Patton, and Abrams tanks. Gary earned an honorable discharge in 1979.
Upon returning to civilian life he continued work as a diesel mechanic then later became a truck driver, safely transporting everything from produce to farm implements to jet fuel. Although it was physically hard work that took a toll on his health, Gary (mostly!) enjoyed his career as a fuel hauler. The “Cookie Monster” made lasting friendships across the miles and years and airwaves.
Gary is survived by his sweetheart and wife of 48 years, Glenda Jean, and by devoted sons Gary Allen [Carrie] and Rusty Gene [Christy]. He was proud a grandfather to Kelsey, Nathan, Linzie, Chase, and Luke. Gary was the most doting Pa to great-grandchildren Kensley and Shawn. He is also survived by dear brother Matthew Barnes and sister Sandra Jacobs. Gary was brother-in-law to Loyd, Ronney, and Janie Barnum, uncle to several nieces and nephews, and a great friend to many. Gary was preceded in death by cherished son Daniel Dean Barnes, parents Roy Lee and Elsie [Turner] Barnes, and sister Diana Ward.
Gary deeply loved his wife and the sons she blessed him with. He will be remembered for many things. Among these will be his kind soul, his hard work, affinity for cool old cars, fantastic musical abilities, and his ridiculously comical sense of humor.
Visitation will be Thursday, December 12 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Wilcox Family Funeral Home, 108 N. Broadview Street, Greenbrier, AR 72058. Services will be held there on Friday, December 13 at 2:00pm, with Pastor Adam Leonard officiating.
In lieu of flowers, your contributions to local veterans’ support organizations would best honor Gary’s memory. As a disabled veteran himself, Gary understood firsthand the need for physical and mental healthcare advocacy for all service members.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Gary Dean Barnes, please visit our flower store.