Robert H. Barnes

Robert “Red” Harold Barnes passed on to eternal life surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, October 8th after a valiant battle with cancer. He was a loving and life-giving husband, father, and friend to so many people. Robert was born in 1934 in Benton, TN to William “Bill” and Mary Clayton Barnes. He was the youngest of five children and was raised in Polk County, graduating from Polk County High School at the age of 16. Robert entered military service and was honored to serve on the Army National Rifle Team until he was honorably discharged. He served in Company A of the 278th Regiment of the Tennessee National Guard. After his military service, Robert worked with the Atomic Energy Commission at Goodyear Atomic in Portsmouth, Ohio and at K25 and Y12 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Robert returned to school to receive a certificate as a Certified Life Underwriter and sold insurance for National Life Insurance Company for many years. He then found his calling as an entrepreneur, working in Blount County buying, growing and selling various businesses. At various points in his life, he was an active member of the Blount County Kiwanis Club, Green Meadow Country Club, Prostate Cancer Survivor’s Group, and Masonic Lodge #636 in Reliance, TN. Robert was an avid boater and was part of the Vol Navy for many seasons. He loved to travel with his bride of almost 60 years, Louise. He attended almost every Lady Vols basketball home game in recent years. He was passionate about spending time with his family and friends. One of his greatest enjoyments in his later years was working in his gardens and riding ATVs at his farm in Reliance, TN. He was often the life of the party and lived and loved big and bold. He was well loved in return, and his unquenchable zest for life touched the hearts and lives of all he came in contact. He is survived by his wife, Louise Rymer Barnes of Alcoa, his daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Barnes Blair and Mark Blair of Knoxville and Elizabeth Barnes Slone and Rodney Slone of Marietta, GA. He is survived by 6 grandchildren, Alexis Hemrick of Maryville, Justice and Marc Blair of Knoxville, Ben Slone of Jacksonville, FL and Holland and Miller Slone of Marietta, GA. He also is survived by several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Barnes of Benton, TN, his brother, Dennis Barnes of Benton, TN, his sisters, Elfrieda Robison of Fairfax, VA, Wynette Hunt of Oak Ridge, TN, and Merle Clark of Oak Ridge, TN. Services will be held at Smith West Chapel in Maryville, TN. Visitation will be Sunday, October 11th at 4:00pm with a service to follow at 6:00pm. A Celebration of Life dinner will be hosted at Smithview Pavilion at 6:30pm. Family and friends will assemble for entombment at 10:30AM on Monday, October 12th at Sherwood Memorial Gardens. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Robert H. Barnes please visit our Sympathy Store.