Larry Matthew Barnes of Copperopolis passed away at the UC Medical Center (Davis) on March 4,2014.
He was 68 years old at the time of his death and was surrounded in prayer by his loving family.
Larry grew up in a family of 7. He had two younger sisters, Theresa and Cecilia and twin older brothers Tarry and Barry. Tarry died at the age of 2.
His father, Haskell Debs Barnes, was a hard-working industrial painter; and known for his firm--very firm--but fair manner.
Larry had many stories about the respect he had for his dad. Not surprisingly, given his dad's firmness, most of the stories involved discipline.
Larry remained grateful to his father for the invaluable work ethic and skills imparted to him from early childhood.
On the other side of Larry's life was his mother, Anna Lee (Poe) Barnes, the yen to his dad's yang.
Anna was a wonderful, caring woman who grew up in an orphanage. It undoubtedly was her constant nurturing and affection that formed the foundation for Larry's own incredibly affectionate character.
From the day he was born, Larry faced any challenges. One of the most serious was when he was stricken with polio when he was 8 years old.
Each time thereafter, whenever confronted with a challenge he simply picked up his head, smiled and moved forward.
Larry achieved many things and he had his share of failures as well. But as his son Mark states, "when it came to family and friends, he was a superstar".
He started his own family when he met Sherry and her daughter, Nynette. Once they married in 1968 son Mark came along soon thereafter.
As Mark says, "It was his family that was most important to my dad, always making sure that we did things together. Camping alongside a beautiful waterway and skiing behind our jet boat--on the Colorado River, Bass Lake and of course, Lake Tulloch--these were his favorite outlets."
And Sherry was always there to love, support and encourage him throughout their 45 years together.
All his life Larry worked hard and seemed to do well with his academics. He attended seminary in Santa Barbara, where he found his love for God. But he soon realized that the priesthood was not for him.
He explored the idea of becoming a pilot and applied to the Naval Academy in Annapolis. But, like many other disappointments he would face, he was rejected after failing the physical eye exam (he was considered legally blind in one eye).
Undeterred, he continued his education at UCLA and landed his first meaningful job at Northrup, and then an executive position at Hughes Aircraft.
While working with Hughes, he at the same time, continued his education to earn a Master's degree from Pepperdine University.
As Mark remembers, "My dad was a man that will be remembered by everyone who was fortunate enough to come into contact with him."
According to Mark, the words others used to describe his dad were always the same: 'What a great man. He always makes me feel special, a friend to everyone'.
The theme never changed. He was a selfless man, always putting the interests of those around him above his own.
As his sister Cecilia says, "It is hard to capture 68 years of a man's life in a few sentences. In Larry's case, it would be hard to do it even in a book of several hundred pages."
"As everyone knew, Larry was loved--indeed, adored--by many people," Cecilia continues, "the love everyone felt for Larry was no mystery. He was good natured, adventurous, funny, a joyful personality and so generous in the giving of his time and talent to others, and at the same time he was a little mischievous."
"Actually he was really mischievous! But always with a smile on his face. Though he had all those proverbial Boy Scout qualities, even Larry would admit, he was no boy scout."
"He did not fear life. He lived it; and he loved it." Cecilia, who spent a week with him shortly before his death, said "he seemed not to fear death, either.
I have never seen anyone handle such a debilitating disease with such admirable grace and humor.
He confronted his death as he did his life, giving strength and encouragement to everyone in his presence."
In the end, he understood that death was to welcome the embrace of God whom he absolutely knew watched over him all his life.
We loved the whole of him, as he loved us. We will all miss him.
Mass will be held Saturday March 15, 2014 at 11 AM at St. Patrick's Church in Angels Camp.
Angels Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements.
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