E. Neil Barnes

barnes(April 13, 1929 – January 17, 2014)

E. Neil Barnes, 84, passed away on Friday, January 17, in St. George, Utah.  He is survived by his wife, Sherry, brothers Robert and Thomas of CA, sons Rick and Chris, daughter Lynn all from CA, stepdaughters Tammy Coddington and Tari Mitcheff, as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Neil was born on April 13, 1929 in Los Angeles.  He lived most of his life in CA until retiring to St. George in 2003 during the building boom when he again took up his occupation as a general contractor. He enjoyed sports his entire life including both snow and water skiing, but his true passions in later life were senior slow pitch softball and golf, which he regularly enjoyed, and eagerly looked forward to softball tournaments beginning in February.  He was the oldest player on the teams he played for but often ran the bases for players younger than himself who said they wanted to be just like him when they grew up. Once, just for fun, he entered and medaled in the 100 yard dash in the Huntsman World Senior Games.

In lieu of a funeral, there will be a Celebration of his Life in a few weeks.  Anyone interested in attending or wishing to have a message read during this celebration should contact Sherry at [email protected] for date, location, and time.

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4 Comments

  • Tim January 23, 2014 at 6:32 pm

    Played several rounds of golf with Neil. He could shoot below his age. Loved his softball.

  • Jerry Gamache January 24, 2014 at 2:04 pm

    Neil Barnes, a good friend, teammate, and overall good person who’s age never held him back from doing the things he loved. Neil joined our Colorado Cougars senior softball team in 2008 to play some tournaments around the country and became a great asset to our organization. His energy and motivation were contagious and his team spirit was always present on and off the field. Always cordial, he and Sherry welcomed us to their home when we played tournaments in St. George. I express my deepest sympathy to his family. We’ll all miss him greatly. God Bless.

  • Jeff Calegory January 24, 2014 at 10:31 pm

    I was one of the lucky ones that got to play Golf with Neil over the past few years. I always enjoyed listening to the things he’d done, places he’d been. My admiration for Neil cannot be expressed. He was truly one of my most favorite people.

    I miss you Neil

  • Larry Hill January 28, 2014 at 12:13 pm

    As a member of the Southern Utah Senior Softball Association, I have played many games with Neil at SS and myself at first . We also played many years together in various tournaments and I enjoyed those years playing for a competitive ballplayer who demanded the best from himself as well as his fellow team members. He will be missed. God bless him and Sherry.

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