Darrell Barnes

Darrell Wesley Barnes

Jan. 26, 1932 - Aug. 6, 2014

PALISADE, Neb. -- Darrell Wesley Barnes was born Jan. 26, 1932, to Dean and Lela (Wright) Barnes in Imperial, Nebraska, and departed this life, Aug. 6, 2014, at the age of 82.

Darrell's youth was spent on the farm where he participated in 4-H activities. He won many ribbons showing cattle and received a reserve champion ribbon at the National Western Stock Show in Denver.

Darrell graduated from Wauneta High School in 1950 and joined the U.S. Army in 1951, serving with the 24th Infantry Division in battles in Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1954.

On March 21, 1953, he was united in marriage with Iris Gage. They became parents of two sons; Douglas in 1955 and John in 1960.

Darrell was employed at Southwest Public Power District in Palisade in the late 1950s, moving on to Brighton, Colorado, in 1961 where he was employed for 34 years, retiring in 1994. The couple moved back to Palisade in 2004.

Darrell loved fishing since he was a small boy and roamed the rivers every chance he got. He enjoyed reading and Cornhuskers and Denver Broncos football. His happiness was always with his wife and family. Darrell was a member of the American Legion and life member of Wauneta VFW.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Dwana Borden and an infant sister; brothers-in-law, Wayne Borden, John Gage, Wayne Gage and Harry Petsch; sister-in-law, Helen Gage; and nephew, Johnnie Wayne Gage.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Iris; sons, Douglas and wife, Lorie of Brighton, Colorado, and John and wife, Sara of Lafayette, Colorado; grandson, Dane; sisters-in-law, Elsie Petsch of Palisade and Betty Gage of Oregon; extended family, Blake Ely and wife, Nicole and son of Aurora, Colorado.

Memorial services will be Monday, Aug. 11, 2014, 10:30 a.m. at the Palisade United Methodist Church with Melody Newman officiating. Burial with military committal will follow the service at the Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given in his name.

Friends may send condolences online at www.carpenterbreland.com. Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.