Joseph “Joe” Leonard Barnes passed peacefully on May 3, 2016 in St. Petersburg, FL, in the company of his family. He often said, “I may be the happiest man in the world,” and with the color of his paintbrush, the love of his heart, and the humor of his generous soul, he left this world a much brighter place. Joe was born on August 9, 1942 to Samuel and Annie Lee Barnes, and soon after began a life that was defined by his creativity, passion, loyalty, and humor. Joe’s siblings and family, Sam Barnes, Tom Barnes, Barbara Trayers, Suzanne Winters, and Billie Gaye Roberts, Rocky Bullard, and Tim Bullard each had a role in helping him find his creative self. Joe was a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather, and his interests were as broad as his smile. He was an Airman, an engineer, a salesman, an author, a manager, an editor, and he was an artist. In fact, Joe applied his creativity in all he accomplished. He began drawing his own cartoons at the age of five, and was recognized by his friends and teachers as a rising artist. Not only gifted in drawing, Joe was a natural guitar player as well. And, he honed these skills in high school, graduating from Oxon Hill High School, where he met the love of his life, Barbara Louise Toprani.
Joe enlisted in the Air Force, and after his enlistment, he and Barbara were married on March 27, 1965. Later, Joe began a 25-year career with IBM, initially repairing typewriters and copiers, and he earned his BS in Marketing and Computer Science at the University of Maryland. He moved into sales and was inducted into the President Sales Club. He used to joke that IBM stood for “I’ve been moved,” and Joe and his family moved to Panama, back to DC, and then to Duluth, MN, earning accolades in all his positions. All the while, he worked as a freelance editorial cartoonist and illustrator, publishing in several newspapers, and he was commissioned to produce over 20 caricatures for clients across the US. He served his last years with IBM in Boca Raton, FL, where drawing from his art background, Joe designed computer products in brail for the blind, and he also authored a book on management styles.
But, the corporate world could not contain Joe’s creativity. Retiring from IBM, he went back to school, earning a BA in Studio Painting from Florida Atlantic University. He specialized in pottery and painting, and it was then when he turned his creative energy to painting, first in oils then to watercolors. Joe and Barb retired to Blowing Rock, NC, where Joe really came into form, and his works were shown in art shows in MN, NC, VA, and FL. An accomplished artist, Joe’s paintings, pen and ink studies, pottery, and caricatures can found in galleries, offices, and private collections.
As an extension of his artistic dreams, Joe designed and built a charming house and art studio in Blowing Rock, NC, surrounded by beautiful rock gardens complete with flowering trees, grape vines, shrubs, and seasonal flora. Joe and Barb’s “cottage” was his artistic inspiration—a place where his children and his grandchildren loved to visit. He was a member of the Watagua County Arts Council, the Watercolor Society of North Carolina, and the High Country Watermedia Society. He was a member of the Rotary Club, and he was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. He taught painting in Boone, but Joe never limited his creativity; he turned his imagination to other areas. He studied to become a Master Gardener, and he contributed a weekly gardening column, “The Village Gardner,” to the Blowing Rocket.
Joe was an amazing father and friend, who taught his children about faith in God, to follow their hearts and use their creativity to make the world around them better. Family always came first, and Barbara and Joe, best friends and partners since high school, shared their artistic journey. Joe inspired those around him, he made them laugh, and he made them better. He will be deeply missed.
Joe is survived by his loving wife, Barbara, his children and spouses Dave and Allison Barnes, Pam and Rick Levering, and his grandchildren: Jack, Leighton, Kate, Landon, and Leo.
Services with Military Honors will be held 9:15am on Thursday May 12, 2016, at Bay Pines National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Fisher House at https://www.fisherhouse.org/.
Beautiful family. Much love to all of you!
Joe was a wonderful person and a good friend. I was one of the lucky people that got to play guitar with him. He made me sound better
He will be missed.
Barbara I never knew all the accomplishments Joe did he was a great man. I remember him some from high school and you mostly. Please tell his family how sorry I am for their loss and please give yourself a big hug from me. Love you Barbara keep the faith and stay as strong as you have always been.
I will miss you brother. I remember the many times you and I sat in our bedroom as kids drawing cartoon characters. You were such a good artist. I have so many fond memories of us over the years. We always had fun when we got together!
I know that our mom was there to greet you with open arms. We will all miss you so much.
Tom
Dearest Barbara,
I am so sorry for your loss of Joe. You two set an outstanding example of love and fellowship to one another. I have met both Dave and Pam. Please extend my thoughts and prayers to them. Joe will be sorely missed. I see where you made your cottage so special in NC. Wished I had gotten to spend some quality time with you both. God raise you up…love, alice
my brother Joe. Joe brought an abundance of joy to all. Everything he touched turn to gold.His heart was as big as life. His many talents and accomplishments in his life are truly inspirational. I thank God for your life,I thank God for all that he blessed you with. All you grace and accomplishments. I love you my brother. Your sister Suzanne
Uncle Joe,
I remember when I met you, it was at grandma’s funeral and you played a beautiful guitar melody while I sang Amazing Grace at Aunt Barbaras house. I’m so sorry to your family for there profound loss. I admire you and am proud to say your my Uncle. You lived an abundant and tremendously creative full life. God bless you and your family. I only wish i could of known you better while you were Here. Love your niece Jennifer
So sorry to hear of your loss. I did not know Joe, but he was one of my wife’s favorite cousins. Joyce spoke of him often and always is a good way. I know he will be missed by his family and friends.
I am Joe’s first cousin, Janet, Mildred’s daughter. I remember Joe from the photos of us all taken in my backyard in Crewe and from my sister Joyce. She talked about our older handsome cousins a lot. I also remember Joe through Annie Lee’s letters to my Mom. Mama would squeal with excitement when she received a 7 to 12 page hand written letter from Annie Lee. She would read it out loud and would often laugh so hard she could hardly read the letter. Annie Lee wrote detailed and humorous accounts about all of her children. We were sure that if her letters were ever made into a book it would be a best seller. I looked forward to the letters almost as much as she did. The Barnes/Bullard Family was much more worldly and exotic to me than our small country bumpkin family. I am going to send a copy of a few photos in an email to the family whose email addresses I have.
It makes me sad that our families moved in so many directions that we lost touch throughout the years. As I read about the life of my cousin I realized how little I actually knew about Joe and how much I would have loved to have known him and his family. My thoughts and prayers are with you!
With deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Your Family is in our thoughts and prayers today and always. We hope you find comfort and strength from God and each other on this trying day and in those to come.
Our sympathy and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time.
With love and friendship.
Chris, Sue, Jack Ally and Kelly
xoxoxo
Barbara, it has been so many years since all of the Tharrington/ Barnes cousins have been together in a group. The love for each is as strong as always. My heart is so sad for the loss of our ‘Joe Joe’. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love to all,
Camilla
Barbara, our thoughts and prayers are with you. What a wonderful man Joe was and how he loved you and his family. The loss is tremendous and leaves one searching for words. With much love, Cousin Louise