Edward Barnes

Edward was born August 27, 1911, in Helmshore, England to Harry and Jane (Gaskell) Barnes. It was typical at the time for sons to follow in their father’s footsteps. Edward’s father was a wheel wright (wagon builder) but knew that automobiles were going to outlast wagons and wanted a better life with more opportunities for his son, so Edward traveled with his father and uncle to the United States in 1929. Edward, often called Ed or Barney, was a retired egg rancher /carpenter and builder. He enjoyed building things, reading, farming, animals, old Westerns and music by Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and Johnny Cash. His favorite food was fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, and apple pie—the ultimate American meal. His heroes were Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. During World War II, Ed served with the Army Air Corps, 16th Fighter Squadron, as an airplane mechanic in the Pacific on an aircraft carrier in Chung Ming, China, China Offensive and India Burma Campaigns. He received Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, and World War II Victory Medal. Edward passed away November 12, 2014 in Olympia, at age 103. Surviving are his daughters, Mary Jane (Robin) Edmondson and Rae Ann (Wayne) Sorensen; grandchildren, Brian and Eric Edmondson, and Jennifer, Chris and Matthew Sorensen; great grandchildren, Daniel and Jessica Ceballos, Tessa Edmondson, Alex and Aurora Edmondson, and Burkleigh, Merrick and Quincy Scott. Please leave memories of Edward or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.