Robert A. Barnes

ROBERT A. BARNES, affectionately known as “Poppy, Old Poppy, Poppy in the Chair, and  Bob ” stepped through Heaven’s gates Saturday, September 21, 2019 at the age of 97 . Mr. Barnes has born on January 13, 1922.  He was the son of Samuel Barnes and Victoria Bintzer.  He was preceded in death by his four sisters and one brother. He was a member of Northside Baptist Church in Lexington, SC.

Mr. Barnes graduated from Sellersville/Perkasie High School in 1939 and was a member of the 1939 track team that won the State Championship in the mile relay.  He also served in the Army during World War II and received the rank of Sergeant and earned the Marksmanship Medal.

Mr. Barnes married Mary Temoshchuk in 1950.  His wife of 44 years preceded him in death i n 1994. They had three daughters , Karen Barnes Rupar, Cheryl Barnes Brannan and Nancy Barnes Dowell.  He also has six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Mr. Barnes was an employee of the U.S. Gauge, a Division of Ametek, in Sellersville, PA for over 46 years.  He transferred to thei r facility in Bartow, FL in 1980.

Before moving to Florida, he was a member of Hilltown Baptist Church in Hilltown, PA where he served as an elected trustee. He did volunteer work at the church and at a Christian camp in Ashford, CT.

After moving to Florida, he became a member of First Baptist Church of Bartow.  While there, he was ordained as a deacon and continued to do volunteer work, helping to bu ild a church in Meadville, PA and construction work to help the widows of the church.

After retirement in 1986, he and his wife Mary traveled frequently to every state in the U.S. (except Hawaii), as well as, Canada and Israel. Until his death, Mr. Barnes continued to deer hunt and watch his beloved Atlanta Braves.

A Celebration of L ife S ervice will be held at Lexington Church of Christ, 101 Ball Park Rd. Lexington, SC 29072, on Saturday, Sept. 28 th at 1:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Halcyon Hospice, 140 Stoneridge Dr. Suite 630, Columbia, SC 29210 and Retir e Ease Senior Services , 203 West Main St. Suite A3, Lexington, SC 29072.