Joseph "Joe" Norman Barnett

Joseph “Joe” Norman Barnett Joseph Norman Barnett died very peacefully of age-related causes, with family by his side, at Hillside Heights Rehabilitation Center in Eugene, Oregon. Joe was born to William Thomas Barnett and Minnie Elfleda Young in Fort Lyon, Colorado. He was the 6th of 7 children. His family moved from Kansas to California in 1937. He joined the US Army in 1938 and took his training at Ft Vancouver, WA and, after training, he served as an ROTC Instructor at Glendale High School, Glendale, CA. He married the love of his life, Margaret Caroline Greslie, in 1941. She preceded him in death in 1978. They had four children: Norma Jo Nurre, who preceded him in death January 18, 1994; Sandra Lee Walton; Janice Rae Alldridge, and Gary Martin Barnett, all of the Eugene area. He leaves behind 7 surviving grandchildren (one preceded him in death in 2015) and 9 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his youngest brother Wendell K. Barnett of Espanola, NM, and many very dear nieces and nephews across the country. During WW II Joe was a drill instructor, training recruits from 1942 through early 1943. He was then shipped to the European Theater, serving in France, Italy, and Germany. He was a member of the 555th Engineer Brigade, a unit of which liberated Dachau. After the war he return to teaching high school ROTC in the Los Angeles area. In 1950, he and his family were stationed in Germany, where they spent 4 years, living in Hindelang, Bad Kissingen, Wurzburg, and Karlsruhe. In 1952, at the NCO Training Academy, he graduated as the #1 Honor Graduate, with a superior rating in Instructor Training. They returned to the States in August of 1954. Joe served the Presidio, San Francisco, CA, until January of 1955 when he was assigned to the University of Oregon Army ROTC program, where he served until his retirement in June of 1968. After retiring from the army, he worked at the University of Oregon Physical Plant for 15 years. During his retirement, he travelled to Kenya, Ireland, and Thailand; travelled with his long-time dear friend Rosemary Sexton, including a trip to China; and also crisscrossed the US visiting family and friends. He was also a dedicated Duck fan. He had season tickets for football and basketball for almost 50 years and was a member of the Oregon Club. He also volunteered with the football program, handling practice field security and access at home and at many bowl games. After leaving this role, Joe continued to follow his Ducks on TV for the rest of his life. At his request, there will be no services. He donated body to OHSU for medical research. If you wish to make a donation in his honor, please consider Peace Health Hospice Endowment or any charity you support.