James Harold (Bud) Barnes, 80, of Cordell, died at the Oklahoma Veterans Center in Clinton on Sunday, July 11, 2010, following a long illness. As an agricultural and 4-H youth leader in Oklahoma for more than 50 years, Bud mentored, taught, and positively influenced thousands of individuals. Burial will be at the Tipton Cemetery at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, July 14th. A memorial service will be held at the Cordell First United Methodist Church at 2:30 P.M.Bud was born to Jess Herman and Lucille Serena Walters Barnes December 16, 1929. Jess and Lucille raised Bud to be a decent, honest, and moral man. Growing up on the family farm in the Laing Community in Tillman County near Tipton, Oklahoma, Bud developed his interest in farming and love for animals. In 1947, Bud graduated from Laing High School. The Barnes family attended the Tipton First Methodist Church, where Bud met his future wife, Patricia Lee (Pat) Pickrell. After high school, Bud briefly attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman before enrolling at Oklahoma A&M College in Stillwater, where he attained his Bachelors Degree in Animal Science in 1951. He then began a two-and-a-half-year enlistment in the U.S. Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. After basic training, Bud was stationed in Germany and France. On October 19, 1952, Bud and Pat were married in Tipton. After an honorable discharge, Bud returned to Stillwater to earn a Masters Degree in Adult Education from Oklahoma State University in 1956. In 1954, Bud joined the Grady County Agricultural Extension Service in Chickasha as 4-H Agent. Bud had been a 4-H member in his youth and would remain active as a 4-H Leader for the rest of his life. In 1986, he received the Oklahoma 4-H Alumni Recognition Award. During his lifetime, he assisted thousands of 4-Hers with their projects. Bud had great pride in their many successes.In 1961, the family moved to Mangum, where Bud served as Greer County OSU Agricultural Agent and Director of the OSU Extension Service. Bud and Pat were especially happy to serve as Class Parents for the 1967 Class of Mangum High School.Bud also formed a partnership with his father, raising Registered Angus Cattle. Bud always had a passion for animal genetics and was a producer of champion cattle and chickens. Bud was the recipient of American Angus Association Historic Angus Herd Award (50 years of continuous production of registered Angus cattle) and the American Bantum Association Master Breeder Award.In 1970, Bud accepted the position of Washita County OSU Extension Director, and the Barnes family moved to Cordell, where the family home remains today. He was blessed to work with a talented staff of agents, whom he often referred to as the best in the state. Bud retired from OSU in 1985 and continued his career as Agricultural Economist for the Cordell National Bank until 1987. From then until he retired in 2004, Bud operated Cordell Agricultural Consultants and the Cordell Tag Agency. A dedicated Methodist, Bud was an active member of the Cordell First United Methodist Church. He taught Sunday school in Chickasha, Mangum, and Cordell, served as treasurer of the Cordell Church for 15 years, and served on the church administrative board. Bud enjoyed socializing with his friends and family. He served on the boards of the Production Credit Association and Oklahoma 4-H Foundation. Bud took great pride in the fact that all four of his sons were National 4-H Scholarship Winners and graduated from Oklahoma State University.Bud was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Virginia and Allene; brother-in-law, R.T. Powell; special aunt, Minnie Lee Walters; mother and father-in-law, Paul and Xea Fern Pickrell; and Pat's "Aunt Bess" McCullough. Bud is survived by his wife, Patricia; his sons: Jess Brent of Oklahoma City; James Paul (Jim) and wife De of Edmond; Richard Lee and wife Kim of Flower Mound, Texas; and Joe David and wife Marla of Polo, Missouri/Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; five grandsons: James Patrick, Sanner, Matthew, Tyler, and Ryan; and two granddaughters: Claire and Jessica. He is also survived by two nephews: Mike and Allen Powell; Pat's sister, Phyllis and husband Gene Wheeler; Pat's brother, Nelson Pickrell and wife Carla; and a host of relatives and friends. Bud is remembered as a generous and loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and loyal friend. Bud was an attentive father and never failed to tell his family that he loved them and was proud of them. Bud's positive influence will long be felt in many lives. His loving memory will be with us always. The family expresses its gratitude for the excellent care Bud received at the Clinton Veterans Center during the final stage of his life.
(Daily Oklahoman)