Vernon Martin Barnes

Funeral services for Vernon Barnes will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 31, 2025, at the United Methodist Church in Waynoka with Jason Gaisford officiating. Burial will follow in the Waynoka Municipal Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home of Waynoka. Vernon was born to Martin and Lilly Alma (Wilson) Barnes on April 12, 1934, on the family farm southeast of Waynoka, Oklahoma and passed away surrounded by his loving family as he peacefully entered his eternal rest, on Monday January 27, 2025, at the age of 90. As a young boy, he grew up on the farm and ranched with his parents. Vernon attended his first 6 years of school at Mountain View Country school. He then attended and graduated from Waynoka High School with the class of 1952. After graduating high school, Vernon worked at the Ice Plant in Waynoka. The years 1955 to 1957 were proudly spent serving his country in the U.S. Army. He was honorably discharged and returned to Waynoka to help his Dad farm and ranch and to start his rodeo career. It was during this time he met the love of his life, Sharon Farquer. The couple married August 8, 1959, which was the final night of the Waynoka Rodeo that year. To this union two children were born: Ricky Vernon in May 1960 and Rhonda Kay in January 1962. During this time he also worked on oil rigs to supplement the farm. Vernon was very community minded and served on the Waynoka Farmers Coop, the Waynoka School Board for many years, EP Clapper Hospital Board, Major County ASCS board, and inspector for Major County #9 precinct. Vernon also spent many years as the Chairman or arena director for the Waynoka Cimarron Stampede Rodeo. Vernon loved and enjoyed his family. He and Sharon spent many hours laboring on the farm and raising cattle. His hard work ethic was not only instilled in his kids but his grandchildren as well. He spent many hours teaching grandkids and some nieces and nephews how to drive a car or tractor. He was gentle and had the patience of a saint. Besides farming, ranching, and riding horses, he enjoyed his rodeo career where he made many life long friends. Noted among those memories is riding 51 bulls straight without getting bucked off. He loved the challenge of a good bull or bare back horse. Vernon is preceded in death by his parents; twin sisters, Violet Seiger and Viva Bowers; two infant brothers; grandson, Zach Craig; and great grandson, Cooper Craig-Mellmer. He is survived by his loving wife Sharon of 65 years of the home; son, Rick Barnes of Stillwater; daughter, Rhonda Craig and husband, Bobby, of Mutual; 7 grandchildren, Cody Spencer and wife, Errin, of Norman, Kristin Baird and husband, Trevor, of Waynoka, Matthew Barnes of Jay, Sarah Burris of Fairview, Kasey Litzenberger and husband, Ben of Waynoka, Amy Kimberly and husband, Charles, of Alva, and Ethan Barnes of Stillwater; sisters, Darlene Shelite of Waynoka and Lavina Randall of Wichita, Kansas; and Gail Spencer who lived with Vernon and Sharon in his high school years. Also surviving are 24 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends. Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for Alzheimer’s research or the Cooper Craig-Mellmer Memorial Fund.

Vernon Martin Barnes

April 12, 1934 - January 27, 2025