Robert L. Barnett Sr.

Robert L. Barnett, Sr., age 84 of Colony, Kansas, died on Sunday, May 23, 2010, at his home in Colony. He was born on March 12, 1926 in Richmond, Kansas, the son of James Fredrick and Eva Lee (Culbertson) Barnett. He was the youngest of nine children. On May 13, 1949, he married Vivian M. Fletcher of Ottawa, Kansas. Married for 61 years, they made their home in Colony, Kansas. This union was blessed with four children. Bob was a farmer and stockman most of his life. He retired from farming in 2001 and sold the farm due to ill health and moved into town. He went to work for the Department of Agriculture in 1955. He worked in that capacity for 40 years. For 20 of those years he was Compliance Supervisor for 11 counties. During that time he made several trips to Dodge City, Kansas to train 15 counties in crop appraisal. He was very active in the community. He had been a Cub Scout leader and 4-H Beef Leader. He was secretary of the Rural Water District #5 from 1967 to 1972. In 1972 they incorporated and he held the secretary position until 2001 when he moved from the farm into town. He served on the Ozark Township Cemetery Board from 1974 until 2010. He was a member of the Colony United Methodist Church where he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for a number of years. Bob was a 1954 Charter Member of the Colony Lions Club, serving for 56 years. During this time he held several offices. He is survived by his wife, Vivian Barnett, of the home; their four children, Linda Ellis and husband Guy of Waverly, Kansas; Debbie Troxel of Iola, Kansas; Laurie Hartley of Kearney, Missouri; Bob Barnett, Jr. and wife Debbie of Coweta, Oklahoma; ten grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. Bob was a very loving husband and father. He was very active for the betterment of the community. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Kenneth, Richard, James and Wayne; four sisters, Gertrude, Helen, Dorothy and Mildred. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 27, 2010, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Colony, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Colony Cemetery. Family will be present to greet friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening at the funeral home in Colony. Memorial contributions may be made to Colony Lions Club or Colony United Methodist Church or Colony First Responders.