Barney Barnes, 61

Ralph E. "Barney" Barnes, 61, of Kuna, formerly of Mountain Home, died Monday, July 11, 2005, at a Boise hospital.

At his request there will be no formal funeral services. Viewing will be held today, Wednesday, July 13, from 4-6 p.m. at Rost Funeral Home, Mountain Home. There will be a celebration of Barney's life held at Jovial Jerry's at 190 S. 2nd. East St. from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, July 14. His friends are invited to join his family there at that time.

Ralph was born April 4, 1944, in Marlow, Okla., to Ray and E. Olena Barnes. When Ralph was a child his parents divorced. At the age of two his mother married Monroe Ogletree and he became the only father he really knew.

Ralph attended school in Blythe, Calif., and graduated in 1962. After graduation he joined the United States Air Force in 1966 and was stationed throughout southeast Asia and many other bases during his career. In June of 1986 Ralph was stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base where he retired and decided to make Mountain Home his home.

After retirement Ralph went back to school to gain a certificate as a diesel mechanic and landed his first job in that field in Hammett where he was employed by Koch Tractor and Implement. He also worked at the sawmill in Mountain Home until the fire that shut the mill down.

He later decided to start his own business as Barney's Carpet Cleaning in Mountain Home.

Barney enjoyed fishing, rock hounding, camping and being in the outdoors with his friends and family. "Barney was one of those persons that loved tinkering with just about anything he would get his hands on," his family added.

Ralph is survived by: his wife, Thelma, of Kuna; sons John Charles Barnes of Pennsylvania, and Ryan Barnes of Mountain Home, and Virgil Crane of Kuna; his daughters, Rhonda Hilburn of Boise, Rose Mendez of Nampa and Bobbie Pearson of Wyoming; his brothers, Johnnie "Tree" Ogletree of Mountain Home, Wendell Barnes of Arkansas; sister Vivian Nelson of Oklahoma; 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by both parents, one brother, one sister and a daughter, Rachelle.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to a charity of choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home.