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Darrell Wayne Barnes, of Shawnee, passed away May 19, 2026 at the age of 85. He was born October 31, 1940 in Seminole, OK. He was the 11th of 12 children.
Darrell attended and graduated from Shawnee High School, class of 1958. He served in the US Army Reserves as a young man with several of his brothers and cousins. He had fond memories of his time there being the chauffeur and golf buddy to the Commanding General. He married Ginger Wilson in 1961 and had daughter, Kimberly Barnes in 1962. Darrell and Ginger shared 20 years of adventures before divorcing in 1981.
He married Paula Sparks in 1984 and had his youngest daughter, Kari Sue Barnes in 1985. He was very proud of his daughters and grandchildren. He loved to talk about them and share their pictures wherever he went. He always loved attending Dads Day and other sorority events at OSU with Kim and later tailgating in Norman with Kari Sue and friends. He was their biggest fan in anything they did.
He held many titles throughout his life including 18 years at the Federal National Bank where he started out as a cashier, then a loan officer, and ended up as a Vice President. He also worked in the oilfield and was an auditor for the State of Oklahoma, among other roles. Darrell was very active in the community organizations in Shawnee for years. He would get involved in anything you asked him to help with. He was a founder of the Faith 7 Bowl and a top fundraiser for many charity events. He was active in the Jaycees, Kiwanis, and Shawnee Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Shawnee Country Club and enjoyed playing golf with buddies and attending functions there as well as the Elks Golf and Country Club in later years.
Darrell was extremely personable and made friends wherever he went. He lived a wonderfully full life. He was good at all sports and loved golf, snow skiing, water sports, running, dancing, watching football, betting on horse races, and anything that anyone challenged him to do. Darrell was as beloved dad, brother, uncle, grandpa, and friend to many. His greatest passion was his two daughters and grandchildren and all the joy they brought to his life.
Darrell is survived by his daughter, Kari Thornton and husband, Eric Thornton, of Shawnee; son-in-law, Joe and wife Kate White of Oklahoma City; seven grandchildren, Joe III and wife Abbey White, Jackson White, Jade and husband Nick Porter, Jule White, Jilian White, Piper and Cutler Thornton; great-granddaughter, Twiggy White; brother, Kenneth Barnes, and many other family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Hute and Gladys Barnes; daughter, Kimberly Barnes White; brothers, Johnny Price, Don, Eddie, Dayton, and Leroy; sisters, Geraldine, Georgia, Margaret, Elaine, and Eleanor; wife, Sharon Barnes; and companion, Jerry Anne Knox.
A ceremony to celebrate Darrell's life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2026 in the Chapel at Walker Funeral & Cremation Service with Tim Smith officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Darrell's name.
Arrangements are under the direction of Walker Funeral & Cremation Service, www.walkerfuneral.com.
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