Obituary of Lawrence J. Barnes

Lawrence “BUD” Barnes died May 9th, 2024, at the age of 96.

Bud was born in Johnson County, Iowa on April 15, 1928, the third son of Arthur and Olga Barnes.  He attended Iowa City High School, graduating in 1946.  On June 14, 1949, he married the love of his life, Barbara Paulus.  They made their home on a farm in Johnson County, just south of Iowa City, where they raised four sons and a daughter.  Bud and Barb were married for 62 years before her death in 2011. 

Bud was a hard-working man.  He did various jobs during the early part of his life with Barb, and in the 1970’s began driving a feed truck for Gringer Feed & Grain, a job he held for over 30 years.  But his true love was farming, which he did for the entirety of his life.  In his words, “you are never closer to God than when you work the soil with your hands”. Bud loved his farm, his land, his garden, his orchard, and his flowers. Bud and Barbara were both very active in 4-H, and it was a large part of the Barnes household.  He also loved his family and friends.  He and Barb had a large circle of friends with whom they shared many laughs, endless card games, dancing until 2:00 am at the Moose Lodge, and all the milestones of their lives.  Bud liked to fish, and family vacation was the annual fishing trip to Minnesota each summer right after the 4-H fair.  A trip that continues to this day.   Bud also spent many hours watching his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren participating in sports and theater.

His family includes his children, Larry Barnes (Pam Calkins), Bruce Barnes (Ellen), and Linda Barnes (Linda Mohrfeld); eight grandchildren, J. R. Barnes (Kara), Todd Barnes (Rachel), Ryan Barnes (Sydney), Amanda Nelson (Chad), Curt Barnes (Kayla), Cassie Elchlinger (Dennis), Brandon Barnes (Lacey) and Joey Barnes; fifteen great-grandchildren, Isla Barnes, Grace Barnes, Beau Barnes, Chase Barnes, Mya Nelson, Harper Nelson, Colton Barnes, Sadie Barnes, DJ Elchlinger, Molly Elchlinger, Sam Elchlinger, Charlie Elchlinger, Brody Barnes, Ella Barnes and Brock Barnes;

Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, their sons, Tim and Steve; and brothers, Arthur and Bill.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm Friday, June 28, 2024, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, with burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. There will be a time of visitation from 1 to 3pm prior to the services. The family ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Nathan Adelson Hospice of Las Vegas (4141 University Center Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89119 http://www.nah.org or the Iowa 4-H Foundation (1259 Stange Road, Ames, IA 50010-1002 www.iowa4hfoundation in Bud’s memory. To share a condolence with his family please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com.

A Celebration of Life party in both Bud’s honor and his son, Steve Barnes who recently died will be held on Saturday, June 29^th. at the Barnes Family Farm @ 4514 Napoleon Street SE, Iowa City from 11am till 3pm, all are invited!