Ellno Barnes

Kanab, UT - Bud Barnes, 87, September 12, 2014, Ivins, Washington, UT. He was born April 24, 1927, Heber, UT to Earl Barnes and Arminda Jane Van Horn. He married Margie Gurr, they were married in Orem, UT, January 20, 1945, and later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.

Bud was raised in Heber, His earliest recollection was riding with his dad, in his truck, up and down Center Creek gathering the milk cans, containing the farmer's excess milk, to sell to the creamery. When the Great Depression hit, in '29, his father moved their family to Las Vegas, to work on the Boulder Dam.

Bud was his eighth grade president, captain of all 4 sports, and was chosen as the outstanding student/leader, and awarded the American Legion Award at this 8th grade graduation. Mr. Finch, Bud's math teacher, said to Bud, just before the graduation ceremonies, "Ellno, we are expecting great things from you." Bud always wondered what Mr. Finch would say today.

Bud was elected to be the Freshman Class President, but his political career ended there. He didn't want to be political, and he was too small now to make any varsity team, so he concentrated on grades and playing in the high school band.

At the end of Bud's junior year, he moved to Provo, UT and worked at the cannery. That's where he first laid eyes on his Margie. Bud enrolled in Provo High, for his senior year, knowing he would either have to join the Navy or be drafted into the Army, as soon as he turned 18. The Navy came to Provo High and tested senior boys with their Eddy Test, to find those worthy of sending to colleges, to be trained in electronics, to maintain the new computers, recently installed on our new battleships. The day before turning 18, he joined the Navy, But; three months before turning 18, he married Margie.

When Bud returned from the Navy, as a result of his training, he was hired as an electrician, at Geneva Steel in Orem, UT. Bud enjoyed his studies at B.Y.U. but 4 ½ years of schooling was not enough to provide what Bud was looking for. Contracting on military bases, mostly in California, Hawaii, and Guam, was exactly what he enjoyed.

And while doing all this, he financed "Fun Masters", then "Recreational Enterprises", with his family he designed, built, and sold many new rides for the amusement industry. Margie went with Bud on several business trips to Hong Kong, Korea, and Japan, selling their products. And if that wasn't enough, they had 9 kids, and were very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Oh, there is much more that could be told of the full life of Bud Barnes, the Uranium boom in Moab, B.Y.U's biggest fan, his discussions with congressmen on how to restore our failing economy and make us oil independent, discussions with Howard Hughes, and the Shah of Iran. These were sidelights to a very full life. Bud stated that his life was” wrapped around his woman”, from the very beginning. In their years together, he would learn all the reasons why he loved and admired her so much. Margie passed away 8 years ago, they had 62 beautiful years together, and these few years apart were not that difficult for Bud, knowing that they would soon be together again, and all they had, would begin, again.

Bud is survived by his children: Carol Barnes (wife of the late Earl Barnes) Lytle Creek, CA, Art & Carol Letkey, Hurricane, UT, Larry & Nevada Barnes, Glendale, UT, Jim & Carla Barnes, Kanab, UT, Dennis & Kathy Pace, Ivins, UT, Rick & Myra Barnes, Kanab, UT, Mark & Chari Reighard, Washington UT, Jim & Tracy Sanford, Kanab, UT, Dennis & Melissa Barnes, Santa Clara, UT. And approx. 120 Grand, Great Grand, and Great, Great, Grand Children.

Funeral services will be Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 1:00 pm, LDS chapel, 1435 S. McAllister Dr. Kanab, UT. Visitation from 12:00-12:45, Interment Kanab City Cemetery, under the direction of McMillan Mortuary 435-688-8880. Condolences may be shared at mcmillanmortuary.com