Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Donald J. "Diamond Don" Barnes



 Donald J. “Diamond Don” Barnes, 71, of Poteau, OK went to be with the Lord Monday, February 4, 2013 in Poteau.  Don was born June 6, 1941 in Cameron, OK to Oscar J ”Dick”  & Retha Marie (Gipson) Barnes.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brother OD Barnes; sister, Dorma Lee Gullick; step-dad J.C. McCann; father in law, Grady Williams and mother in law, Mildred Fudge.  Don was a Vietnam veteran of the US Naval Security Group; member of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 63, American Legion Chapter 210 and former member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, chairman of the LeFlore County Veterans Memorial Assoc, former Lions Club member, member Poteau Masonic Lodge #46. belonged to the Amateur Radio Relay League as an Amateur (Ham) radio operator (N5LXF), served as Mayor of Poteau (1991-1995). was  local area radio announcer during the 1970’s and 1980’s where he got the radio name of  “Diamond Don”.

Don leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Vickie Lynn Barnes; son, B.J. & wife Tarron; daughter Candice & husband Keith; sons Shane, Jay & Todd Barnes; 12 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; sisters Shirley (Dennis) Koeninger of Poteau, OK, Diann Adkins and husband Jim of Broken Arrow, Jenna Huggins and husband A.L. of Caddo; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

Services will be 2 pm, Friday, February 8, 2013 at the Reynolds Center, Poteau with Rev. Jim Cook, Rev. LeRoy Billy & Rev. Lynn Bullard officiating.   Pallbearers will be LeFlore County Disabled American Veterans Chapter #63. Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau, OK.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the DAV Chapter #63 building fund at Community State Bank or to the Gideon’s.  

3 comments:

  1. My condolences to the Barnes family. 38 years is a long time to be with the one you love, it is like losing half of you. May you find comfort from God's word recorded at Ecclesiastes 9:5&10 regarding the loss of your loved one, showing he is in no pain, he is like in a deep sleep hoping to be raised from the dead soon.

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  2. My mother, Betty, 99+, and I were reading the obit for Don and remembering the positive difference that he made to Poteau and to our family. My brother John always spoke highly of Don. We laughed that you city guys always stuck tohether. In this case Poteau was the better for it. She asked who he was rooting for in the Super Bowl. This is a sad time for your family, but just think of the wonderful memories that we both share. Not a day goes by that I don't think of my brother John and my dad Bucky.

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  3. My condolences to the Barnes family. Do not feel that you have to deal with the loss of your loved one alone. God cares for you and he will give you the strength needed (1Peter 5:7).

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