STEPHEN RAY BARNES

Stephen Ray Barnes, 79, of Mt. Vernon passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at his home. He was born Feb. 15, 1945, in Monett, the son of the late Raymond and Edna Mae (Metheny) Barnes.
He was a 1963 graduate of Mt. Vernon High School where he played football and ran track. He then attended Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, Kan. and Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan. for three years, before he was drafted into the military. He was a United States Army veteran serving during the Vietnam War from 1967-1970 and was a double recipient of the Purple Heart.
He worked for Carnation Milk in Mt. Vernon and was a member of the teamsters for 25 years. He was the owner of S&T Auto Detailing and Convenience Store in Mt. Vernon retiring in 2003. He was a member of the Mt. Vernon First Baptist Church, where he was baptized at an early age. Steve was a member of the Lawrence County Shrine Club, the Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge #4362 in Mt. Vernon, the Masonic Lodge, American Legion and was a member of the Purple Heart Association.
On Oct. 1, 1983, he married Terry Nell Brechbuhler, in Mt. Vernon.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Terry; two sons, Derick (Lisa) Barnes of Mt. Vernon and Greg (Melissa) Barnes of Republic; four grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren.
A funeral service under the direction of Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, was held on Monday, April 8, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon. Burial followed at the Summit Cemetery northeast of Mt. Vernon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made payable to the Shriners Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be shared at www.FossettMosherFuneralHome.com.