Richard "Barney" Earl Barnard

Richard Barnard (Barney), age 92, passed away on September 14, 2025. Barney was born on February 28,1933 to parents Earl and Virginia Barnard in Nutter Fort West Virginia. Barney is a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, serving in the United States Air Force for 21 years retiring in July 1973 at McChord Air Force Base as a MSGT. Barney and his wife Betty, along with their children settled in Lakewood Washington where he started a new career in civilian life as a truck driver for Texaco and Matlack , finally retiring for good in 1996.

Barney was a loving husband and father, and a good friend to many, and had many passions. Early in his military career while stationed at Wheelus AFB Tripoli Libya, he worked at the bowling alley as a second job. He continued to bowl for many years at various bowling alleys, and finally at the age of 68 bowled his first 300 game.

Barney was also active in his local community, most notably with Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) where this November would have been his 28th year. He found a warm bond with this group because he understood sobriety was not a journey one should travel alone. Through years consisting of 4 meetings a week, he not only remained a recovered alcoholic, but he helped others address and overcome their addictions as well. He was able to give back the smiles and laughter the people and the program gave him, and he would often reflect on the many friends in the program that made his life complete. His memory will live on with his friends to which he listened and gave hope to, as well as counseled and encouraged.

Barney was also an avid piano player where you would usually find him in his garage practicing. Many years ago, a good friend in A.A. invited him to play at the American Lake VA church which needed a new piano player. Hearing the beautiful songs he played on his first weekend, they invited Barney to be their new pianist at their Sunday service. On his first day the Chaplain offered to pay him to which our father replied, “if you pay me, I will never come in here again.” After 26 loyal years volunteering, he would always tell his friends and loved ones he played “1,352 Sundays.” Barney also enjoyed taking his teacup Chihuahua Annie to the park twice a day, which he continued to do until shortly before his death.

A special thank you from our family to the many Angels who helped take care of our father. We will remember his friends George, Ann, Jan, Maegan, Kerri, and Dan, who loved and

supported our father over the years, as well as his neighbors Michael and Ricky (and family) who we were able to look in on our father when we were unable to be there. A special thank you to Teresa, who was both our mother and father’s Medical Social Worker. It would suffice to say “every family deserves a Teresa.”

Barney is survived by his children, Rick (Yon), Kathy Reiten, Candy Barnard-Davidson (Mark), and Dan (Kim), 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

Barney was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Betty, son Jeffrey David Barnard, and great granddaughter Brylee Cyde Reiten.

Funeral arrangements with military honors are being planned at Tahoma National Cemetery with his Family and Curnow and Hill Funeral Home.