Paul Barnes
Age - 69
November 23, 2023
"Paul Emmitt Barnes, of Alexandria, Louisiana passed from this life on November 20, 2023, at Conway Regional Hospital surrounded by family- his wife, Paula, his oldest daughter, Nicol, and his two sisters, Emma and Alice. He was 69 years old. The son of Emmitt and Wilma (Taylor) Barnes was born on September 15, 1954, in Heber Springs, Arkansas. He was the oldest child. Paul married Paula Aymond on March 25, 1989. They combined their children from previous marriages with Paul adopting Paula's two sons. Together they had four children, Nicol, Charlie, Paul D. , and Jessica. He was a spiritual man with strong faith. He prayed in his closet every day and lived his life doing his best to follow the straight and narrow path set before him by the Will of God. Paul was an amazing human being! He was a true "Renaissance Man!!" He was generous to a fault. He was a self-taught carpenter and woodworker. He had the knowledge and skills of an electrician, plumber, gasoline and diesel mechanic, welder, floor coverer, and many others. He could do anything he set his mind to accomplish! He built the house in Conway, Arkansas that his parents lived in from lumber he cut and sawed on his own sawmill. He could have pursued any number of careers but started working in the Louisiana oil business at age 16. He supported his family by becoming a Tugboat Captain at the young age of 24. He briefly owned a Boat Company until the collapse of the industry in the 1980's. He was an expert! He was such a skilled and knowledgeable Captain at navigating the waterways that he was able to bring more barges up and down the river than any other Captain! He ended his career by becoming a consultant for the Corps of Engineers and took many high-level engineers and PhD's on a tour of the river pointing out problems with navigation. And they followed most of his recommendations for improvement! They were impressed by his knowledge and skills. He retired at 50 due to a heart condition. He would have chosen to be a farmer if he could have. He loved working on the land and growing crops and animal husbandry. But his real passion was for music and learning. He was a lifelong learner who taught himself to play the guitar, piano, violin, mandolin, banjo, trumpet, and other instruments. He also taught himself physics, chemistry, Calculus, and computer science skills including Linux operating systems and various programming languages. He tried his whole life to cultivate family values and pass on the "fruits-of-his-labor-and-learning. " He would love it if his children and grandchildren would carry on his legacy! His greatest desire is that all of his knowledge does not end with him. Paul is preceded in death by his father Emmitt Barnes; a granddaughter Jordyn Barnes; and a niece Antonia Nowden. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Paula Aymond Barnes; their children, Nicol Merrifield (Darren), Charlie Barnes (Sandra), Paul D. Barnes and Jessica Barnes; eleven grandchildren who were privileged to have known and be loved by such a wonderful and generous grandfather, Holly Merrifield, Jayce Merrifield, Shane Coggswell, Donovan Coggswell, Angel Barnes, Seth Barnes, Damian Barnes, Caleb McLaughlin, Alayna Barnes, Michael Barnes, and Stephen Barnes; and 2 great grandchildren, Seamus Coggswell and Trinity Coggswell. He is also survived by his mother, Wilma Barnes; his sisters, Emma Barnes Nowden and Alice Barnes; his brother, Eric Barnes, and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral Services for Paul will be held at 1 :00 p. m. on Monday, November 27, 2023, in the chapel of John Kramer \u0026amp; Son Funeral Home with Brother Bill Broadwater officiating. Interment will follow in Alexandria Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning on Sunday, November 26, 2023, from 5:00 p. m. to 8:00 p. m. and will resume on Monday, from 12:00 p. m. until time of service. Pallbearers honored to serve will be Charlie Barnes, Paul D. Barnes, Jayce Merrifield, Michael Barnes, Stephen Barnes, Taylor Barnes, and Zach Barnes. Honorary pallbearers will be Eric Barnes, Donald Aymond, Darren (Coon) Merrifield, Holly Merrifield, Alayna Barnes, and Damian Barnes. "Show more
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