| Graduation Year | Class of 1974 |
| Date of Passing | Mar 24, 2014 |
| About | Neal Austin Barnes, 58 years, 7 months, and 9 days old, passed away on March 24, 2014 at Cox Hospital with his wife and family by his side. Neal was born on August 15, 1955 in Rome, Missouri to Lorel Bartlett and Mary Marie Bloomer Barnes. On January 6, 1996 Neal and Bonnie King Fossett were united in marriage and to this union one daughter was born. Neal graduated from Ava High School in 1974. After graduation he worked at Emerson electric and in 1984 he went to work with his brother, Leland Barnes. In 1990 the business was joined by brothers Doyle and Alvin and became Leland Barnes Incorporated. Neal worked there until his hospitalization in January 2014. Neal loved the outdoors and spent numerous hours hunting ginseng and arrowheads. He was not known as a socialite, but he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. His physical appearance earned him the roll of a disciple in the Maundy Thursday service and as the head shepherd in the Live Nativity at the Ava United Methodist Church. He was also the designated "bus monitor" while delivering the Frogs Club kids to their homes. Although, he had a pretty gruff demeanor, his grandchildren knew him as the softy that he truly was. He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law, Wendell King and sister-in-law, Shirley King Fleetwood. Neal is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his daughter Megan and husband PV2 David Hamby; his other children; Gabe Fossett and wife Jan, Fort Worth, TX; Mindy Fossett Johnson and husband Landon, Ava, MO; Cody Fossett and wife Tatum, Springfield MO; Kasi Fossett, Ava, MO; and Staci Fossett, Chico TX as well as nine grandchildren; Caleb, Nate, Zoey, Tanner, Cheyenne, Emma, Skyelar, Silas, and Lily. He is also survived by three brothers; Alvin and wife Kandy, Leland and wife Nancy; and Doyle and wife, Rose; and four sisters; Marilyn Renne and husband Jim, Charlene Parker and husband John; Lila Frye and husband Bill; and Alesia King and husband Steve as well as three brother-in-laws; Lendell King and wife Linda, Steve King and wife Alesia; Glen King and wife Cindy and his mother-in-law Linda J. King. He will be deeply missed by a host of other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends at the Ava United Methodist Church Saturday, March 29, 2014 from 1:00 until service time at 2:00, March 29, 2014, Pastor Marty Blakey will officiate. Burial will follow in the Ava City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Ava United Methodist Church, Neighbor Helping Neighbor or as a love offering to help defray final expenses. |
