BARNEY DOUGLAS

Barney Douglas, 95, of Gainesville, MO passed away on December 22, 2012 at the Gainesville Healthcare Center. He was born on March 3, 1917 in Oxford, AR to Thomas and Tyrene (Matney) Douglas. His parents had eleven children, ten surviving to adulthood. Barney was the last sibling. When he was three months old, the family relocated to a farm in Moody, MO where he was raised. It was a hard life.

A job with the State Highway Department (MoDot) led Barney to Mtn View, MO, where he met a young woman named Doris McGrath. They were married June 18, 1943, and had been married 69 years. When World War II began, Barney volunteered for the U.S. Navy Seabees and later worked in a munitions plant in St. Louis where he operated heavy machinery and made high-caliber bullets for three years. The Postwar years found him back in Southern Missouri and he was rehired by MoDot where he worked until retirement in 1981. He was area supervisor over four sheds.

Barney worked with American Red Cross bloodmobile for over thirty years. Up until May 2012, he still put out Bloodmobile signs around the square. He was also a member of the Lions Club. He worked at the concession stand at the local ballgames and helped with the weekly dinner meetings up until May, 2012. He received an award in 2010 recognizing Barney's dedication and support of Lions Club and his service to the community. He was also a board member of the Ozark County Health Department for twenty-six years. He was still on the board at the time of his death. He also served on the Gainesville R5 school board, serving several years as the school board president.

His biggest passion, however, was the Robert Burns Masonic Lodge #496 of Gainesville. He joined sixty years ago filling all the offices and keeping the lodge hall in shape. In 2010, he was presented the Truman Award for his dedicated service and support of Freemasonery and to the community. Barney and his wife, Doris, also were very active members of Eastern Star. He also was very active in Hootin' and Hollarin'. He was the first one to get started on setting up bleachers, picking up trash and any duties that had to be done. Barney was baptized in the First Christian Church of Gainesville.

Barney was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; and seven sisters. He is survived by his wife, Doris, of the home in Gainesville, MO; his three children Sharon Dennis and husband Wendell of Wasola, MO, Allen Douglas and wife Glenda of Gainesville, MO; and Deborah Bodenhamer of Mtn. Home, AR; five grandchildren Brad Gaddy of Lenexa, KS, Paula Bodenhamer of Mtn. Home, AR, Jeffrey Douglas of San Francisco, CA, Pat Bodenhamer of Diamond City, AR and Jennifer Douglas Dabney and husband James of Gainesville, MO; four great grandchildren Finley Gaddy, Ethan Gaddy, Cooper High and Keaton Dabney.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, December 27, 2012 in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home chapel in Gainesville, MO with Rev. Pat Bodenhamer and Bro. Dale Roberts officiating. Masonic services will be conducted by Robert Burns Masonic Lodge #496. Burial will be in the Gainesville Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday evening, December 26th from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church of Gainesville, or the Robert Burns Masonic Lodge #496 of Gainesville with proceeds going to the Missouri Masonic Home. On line condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.