Thomas William Barnes

CWO 4 Thomas W. Barnes Jr. [US ARMY RETIRED] passed away in Biloxi, MS on January 6, 2013. Mr. Barnes was born in Peoria, IL on August 09, 1934 to Thomas W. Barnes Sr. and Violet I Hellberg. He grew up in Chicago, IL and graduated from Bowen High School in 1952. He enlisted into the US Army in 1954, serving as a personnel management specialist and reaching the rank of SSgt. In 1959, he successfully completed US Army Helicopter Pilot School and appointed as a Warrant Officer. He served a total of 30 years in the Army including two tours in Vietnam and four tours in Korea. He earned many awards for bravery including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, three Purple Hearts, and numerous Air Medals. He was an instructor helicopter pilot and a pioneer in developing helicopter tactics while in the US Army. His survivors include his wife, Ja Kyung Barnes of Biloxi, MS; sister, Mrs. Gerald Schaar (Janie) of Biloxi; daughter, Mrs. Michael (Deborah) Barnes Boydstun of Gulfport, MS; and two sons, Mr. Thomas W. Barnes III (Tommy) of Biloxi and Mr. Jason W. and (Meredith) Barnes of Austin, TX. He also is survived by two nephews, Mr. Jeffrey and (Pamela) P. Schaar and Mr. Gerald and (Robin) J. Schaar; one niece, Janel Niolet; four grandchildren, Arvah C. McClendon, Raynor C. and (Janel) McClendon (USMC), Kaylee Jade Muennink and Amelia SooJin Barnes; and a great-grandchild, Avery Lynn McClendon. He was a devoted husband and a loving father. He will be missed by all those who knew him for his generosity, kindness and most of all, for his undeniable inner strength. Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. with a 5:00 p.m. service on Monday, January 7, 2013 at the Pass Road Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home.