Walter O. Barnes

Walter is preceded in death by his beloved wife Charlotte. Dear father to Walter Barnes, Jr. and his wife Linda, and Mark Barnes, Ph.d. and his wife Karen and brother Alfred Barnes. Devoted grandfather to Matthew, Daniel, Susannah, and Michael Barnes, Roberto Garcia, Kelly and husband Eric Iverson. He is also survived by a host of friends and his special care giver Shahnaz Parker. Born on March 14, 1920 in Altus, Oklahoma, Walter enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942. He served in the 15th Air force in North Africa and Italy and received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. One of Walter’s proudest personal accomplishments during his service in Italy was his association with the Tuskeegee Airmen. Walter provided technical training to the mechanics who were maintaining the P-51's and B-25's flown by the Tuskeegee Airmen. At war’s end, Walter became a civilian welder at Mather Air Force Base. He retired after 37 years as the Supervisor of Mather’s Paint and Plating Shops, until retirement in 1983. In retirement he enjoyed gardening, fishing, welding and woodwork crafts, traveling with his wife, and spending time with his grandchildren. Friends are invited to attend a funeral service on Tuesday June 7, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at South East Lawn Memorial Park & Mortuary, 9189 E. Stockton Blvd, Elk Grove, CA. Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Aid Society of Northern California, P.O. Box 1824, Sacramento, CA 95812.