Any biography is likely to fall far short of the color and depth of the events of a person's unique journey through life. However, to not make that attempt will ensure that those moments will fade away, leaving a life story untold. In the film "It's a Wonderful Life," responding to a personal crisis, George Bailey wishes that he'd never lived. His wish is granted, but soon finds himself in the cemetery at the headstone of his brother Harry. Clarence the angel says, "Your brother, Harry Bailey, broke through the ice and died at the age of nine." To which George replies, "That's a lie! Harry Bailey went to war. He got the Congressional Medal of Honor, he saved the lives of every man on that transport." To which Clarence replies, "Every man on that transport died. Harry wasn't there to save them because you weren't there to save Harry.......Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives."

Gene's eulogy was entitled, "A Wonderful Life" and is included in the following. Other details and stories have been added.
On Friday, April 20, 2007, Wichita's finest carpenter, Gene, known to many as Gene-o, left his earthly family to go to heaven to work with the Greatest Carpenter of all.
Gene Harry Barnes was the second oldest of five children born to Elijah Harry Barnes, born in 1902 in Mount Hope, Sedgwick County, Kansas, and Mary Ellen (Hall) Barnes, born in 1905 at Rodney, Baxter County, Arkansas. Gene was born on his father's 26th birthday, August 13, 1928, near the small town of Riverside, near Montrose, in western Colorado. Gene as well as his sisters Margie and Polly were born in their small, white two-story house that still stands today (1999) in excellent condition at 18570 Highway 550. Gene, wife Vada and son Larry visited this house in September 1999. No one was home, but we took photos. Note, this house is visible from the front yard of Bill and Georgie (Barnes) Cairns house, a house we also visited that day. (Georgie was Gene's aunt.) A large, open farm field separates the two houses that set more than a quarter mile apart.

Gene was named after James "Gene" Tunney (1897-1978) the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1926 to 1928. The story behind this is Gene's uncle, (Benjamin) Floyd Barnes (1894-1986), attended grade school in Colorado with future heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey (1895-1983) whose actual name was William Harrison Dempsey. Dempsey's mother operated a restaurant in Montrose, Colorado. Floyd did not like Dempsey, saying he was a bully during their school days. So, when Gene Tunney (easily) defeated Dempsey, and later beat him again, Tunney became popular with this part of the Barnes family. The Dempsey-Tunney fights would hold the record for the largest attendance for 65 years! Dempsey was a slugger and dirty fighter while Tunney was the opposite, a great boxer who obeyed rules and avoided public attention. (Ali called Tunney the first scientific boxer.) With Dempsey conquered, Tunney left boxing, married an heiress, entered business, and rarely spoke of boxing again. Later, Tunney's future biographer recognized Tunney on a train among unknowing passengers. Dempsey, the world's highest paid sports figure of the 1920's (far above Babe Ruth's), remained in touch with boxing. In the end, it was Dempsey who marched into boxing history and lore while Tunney who twice defeated Dempsey, suffered just one loss and one knockdown in a pro career of 77 fights, and retired 3-0 as champion, is largely forgotten except by boxing experts.

Gene (Barnes) was the second oldest of five children; (1) Elnora Faye Barnes (1926-1993) who married Neal Sedam (1924-2000), (3) Margie Marie Barnes who married Gene Wright (1929-1973) and next married Buddy Floyd. (4) Mary Pauline (Polly) Barnes who married Scott Daymond (1928-2007), and next, Dale Bonnet (1936-2010). (5) Robert (Bob) Dennis Barnes who married Kathy Adams, and next, Jan Petersen.

While living near Riverside, Colorado, Gene's father earned a living as a farmer. Harry couldn't afford a tractor, and still farmed with horses, two big ones, named Buck and Tuffy. This was during the Great Depression. Crop prices dropped so low they felt there was a poor future for small farmers, so Harry and his family made the decision to leave Colorado to find better opportunities and live near Mary's relatives at Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. They left on February 23, 1933, which was also Margie's birthday. The trip was nearly their last. They traveled in their 1926 Chrysler Royale, pulling a trailer that held all their worldly possessions. It was cold in the car because the heaters were not very effective in those days. Their dog Jack was also in the car. Somewhere on the cold and snowy, 11,000 foot high Monarch Pass, their car suddenly slid off of the unpaved road and would have fallen into the deep canyon below if their trailer had not caught on a rock. Miraculously, a large, white road-grader soon appeared and pulled their car back to safety.
From 1933 to 1938, Gene and his family lived in Oklahoma, mostly in the town of Pauls Valley located along Interstate 35, halfway between Oklahoma City and the Texas border. Many members of Gene's mother's family had moved to Pauls Valley from north central Arkansas in about 1918-1920. With the country still in the grip of the Great Depression, Gene's dad did not initially find the job opportunities he thought would be there, plus they no longer had their farm to grow their own food. Yet, the presence of family members must have been a real help. 1938 Social Security records show that Gene's dad was working for the Burch (Birch?) Lumber Company. Was Gene destined to swing a hammer? It would seem so. Gene drove old nails into an old tree in the backyard of their home in Pauls Valley. In fact, he drove the nails as close together as they would go, as high as he could reach, and also into the ground around the base of the tree. When Gene visited the old house years later, he was very curious to see if the tree was still there. But, the tree was gone. Gene always wondered how they ever cut the old tree down with all of those nails in it!

In 1938, Gene and family left Pauls Valley and soon moved to Wichita, renting a house at the end of a narrow, dead end lane, 3320 W. Newell Street, a house that had no electricity or plumbing during the years they lived there. A hand pump located outside provided their water. This old house (with a Newell Street address), and the house on the west side of it (which has a Gow Street address), are still there today (2015). It was not uncommon for Gene's mom to tell him they needed a rabbit for dinner. Gene would then take the .22 rifle (with only 2-3 bullets) and one or both of his dogs, Prince and Sandy, and go rabbit hunting in the large field located on the west side of their house. The field is little changed today (2013), tall radio towers were erected later. Like a silent reminder of the past, a blinking light on one of these towers can be seen at night from the backyard of Gene and Vada's home at 2228 W. St. Louis.

Gene, Margie and Polly attended Eugene Field Elementary School. Built in 1938, it was located just 2 blocks east of their Newell Street home. The school was closed in about 2000, but 2-story stone and brick building continues to fill an important purpose as the home of the non-profit organization "Trees for Life," providing fruit trees to people around the world so they can grow the food they need.

Harry and Mary Barnes' Newell Street home was their residence until 1946, when Gene and his father built a house located a block to the north at 641 N. Sheridan Street. Gene's brother Bob said that a substantial amount of the material used to build this house was from a building at a car dealership that they had torn down. [Gene said they'd built the building which stood on the northwest corner of Douglas Ave. and Hydraulic Ave., part of the former Quality Chevrolet car dealership at 1520 E. Douglas Ave. Could this have been where the material came from?] Their house on Sheridan Street would be their first home with electricity and indoor plumbing. At this house Gene used the enclosed back porch as his bedroom. The house at 641 N. Sheridan was torn down around 2005 to make way for a commercial building.

For a number of years, Gene was the only male child in the family, and in certain ways, more was expected of him. While living on Newell Street, one of Gene's jobs was to hoe the weeds in the garden. Gene was not always happy doing that and would try to get Margie or Polly to spend time with him in the garden so the time would pass more quickly. To earn some money, Gene mowed yards in the neighborhood. Some of his customers however would wait and allow their grass to grow very tall. This required Gene to cut the grass down with a hand sickle before he could even use his push mower. Gene didn't have to worry about gasoline because this was literally a push mower with no motor. Extra tall grass or not, the going rate was the same-50 cents per yard. Gene later mowed the Sim's Park Golf Course and cleaned equipment at Steffen's Dairy, until Steffen's released him when they found out that he was only 15 years old. Later, one summer, Gene worked as a harvest hand with neighbor Chet Majors (1915-2003). By age 14, Gene said he had grown to his full height, 5'-10", and said he was the tallest of all of his first cousins.

Due to the rationing during World War 2, there was a shortage of metal, so even if you could afford a new bicycle, they could be hard to find. On a trip to the dump with his dad, Gene found a bicycle frame, sanded and painted it and slowly but surely found parts, mostly used, and built his own bicycle. Gene and his brother and sisters definitely did not have much money as kids, but they really had a lot of fun.

In Wichita, Gene had 2 dogs, Prince and Sandy. Sandy was the son of Prince, a Spitz and Chow mix, each weighing no more than 35 to 40 pounds. Prince retrieved the paper from the end of the lane each day and was so dedicated to following Gene's instructions that Prince once came right up a ladder, protesting at each step, when Gene called to him from the roof. Gene said that on his way home, a mean, large German Shepard would meet him shortly after he got off the school bus, barking and snapping at him. But as Gene got closer and closer to home, he knew that help was also getting closer. When he felt he could be heard, Gene let out a whistle. And as he said, "here came the troops." Prince and Sandy were on the way. Though much smaller than the German Shepard, they were a team, also father and son, and this was an intruder, and he was bothering Gene. The German Shepard was now in double trouble, two against one, and he was on someone else's home turf. A bad combination. As Gene said, "they would work that German Shepard over, sometimes one on each end, then run him off the property."

A neighborhood friend of Gene's was Carl Pyle. Many years later his father, Carl Sr., would tell Gene and his boys that he once saw Babe Ruth hit a home run. Gene spoke several times about his classmate Holly Sims who could recite entire pages he'd read, displaying some form of photographic memory. Gene said that Holly died during the Korean War (P.O.W.). It seems Gene was unaware that Holly was buried at Wichita Park Cemetery. If he had known, he surely would have mentioned it and decorated his grave.

Gene loved to play baseball, and as a kid enjoyed listening to Major League games on the radio, particularly those of the Boston Red Sox because it allowed him to follow one of his favorites, Ted Williams, whose career was interrupted twice, serving as a pilot in World War 2 and Korea. Gene later learned that many of the games he'd listened to on the radio were actually replays designed to sound like live games. The radio announcer read the information and even supplied the sound of a ball hitting the bat. Gene spoke several times of watching baseball great "Satchel" Paige pitch at Lawrence Stadium in Wichita. As some other kids did, Gene would sneak into the games or sit on a boxcar and watch from behind the outfield. It would be difficult to find a player in any sport that is the subject of more stories than Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige. Claiming to not know his birth date, and a nickname said to be from toting bags as a boy at a train station, Satchel was with a Negro League team at the time Gene saw him. Gene said was the Kansas City Monarchs, which is right. At that Lawrence Stadium game, as he frequently did in this league, Gene said Satchel called in the outfield and pitched an inning or two with an empty outfield. Paige continually performed to sell-out crowds. Paige's 1935 team won the NBC World Series championship in Wichita and Paige struck out 60, still the record. In 2012, Wichita, Paige's daughter witnessed the retiring of her father's jersey. When black players were finally admitted, Paige, age 42, became the oldest rookie in Major League history. Joe DiMaggio called Paige the best pitcher he ever faced, and Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller said Paige was the best he ever saw. Paige was called back to pitch his last game in the Majors at the age of 59. He became the first player from the Negro Leagues elected to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1999, Sporting News ranked Paige as the 19th greatest Major League Baseball player of all-time.

In Wichita, Gene attended Eugene Field Elementary School, Allison Junior High, and North High School. He had three teachers that later taught his son Larry. They were Orvil Pierce, who taught Math at Allison Junior High for 29 years; Miss Gladys Sinclair, who taught English at Allison Junior High; and K. W. Hunter, who taught woodworking at North High and later, Drafting, at West High School. At North High, Gene excelled in his accounting class. His ability with numbers was evident in his lifelong ability to remember quite a few phone numbers. Gene always said that he could outrun anyone in his gym class at North High from one end of the gym to the other, which made him recall that at age 17 he still could not outrun his dad, who would have been 43, in a race of about the same distance. Gene graduated from North High in 1947.

At the age of 18, Gene bought his first car, a two-door 1931 Model A Ford for $175.00. Gene was very handy at fixing all sorts of things and certainly had to be when it came to his Model A. The brakes and carburetor were just a few of the items that had to be continually adjusted or fixed. In fact, at one point, the car seemed to use more oil than gas. Gene did an excellent job of repairing and maintaining his car since he later sold this car to his friend Richard, son of C. Ewing Lawrence, for nearly as much as he originally paid for it.

In about 1946, Gene began attending Bethel Methodist Church, a building with wood siding. The name was changed to St. Luke's and in 1950 a new church building was built behind the old building. It was constructed of stone from Silverdale, Kansas, the work of master stone cutter and stone mason A. J. "Jeff" Owen (1905-1981) who was also the grandfather of Don and Jill Burris, St. Luke's members and schoolmates of Gene and Vada's sons Larry and Mike. Gene loved singing in the choir and did so for nearly 60 years with his children, Bob and Edith Page, Adolph Weigand and so, so many others. For decades, Naomi Dunbar, followed by her daughter, Joanne Weigant, were the organists. This church was a great and stabilizing influence on Gene and everyone. Gene would proudly serve on many committees there as well as head coach on the boy's basketball team for a number of years, winning several trophies. One trophy reads, "WCAA H.S. A League 3rd place 1974." Gene knew this team would bring young men into the church and would benefit both. A few of the players were: Gene's sons Larry, Mike, Chuck and Kenny; Johnny Ellison; Brad Smisor; Leroy Caldwell; Evan Peacock; Joe Herridge; brothers Don and Mark McCorkle; Tim Berlin; David McBeath; Mike Randall; Robbie Custer; Steve Rogers; Gary Hays; brothers J. R. and Mike Washee; Robert Koehn; Kenny Waldo and Jim Ward. This interest caused a younger boys team to be formed, coached by Gene's son, Larry.
Gene's birthday on August 13, 2000 was one he was especially looking forward to and would be one he would talk about forever. On that day, his 11 year old granddaughter Kelsey played "Amazing Grace" on the piano during the Sunday worship service at St. Luke's. Gene made sure this moment was videotaped, and enjoyed it more each time it was played.

At the urging of friend Harold Hall (no relation to Gene's Hall relatives), Gene joined the Kansas Air National Guard and rose to the rank of Tech Sergeant, serving as a member of the 127th Fighter Squadron at the Wichita Air Force Base, later known as McConnell Air Force Base. His assignment was aircraft maintenance, working on such planes as the legendary P-51 Mustang, described by many as the greatest fighter aircraft of World War 2. Gene said this single-engine, propeller driven airplane was so powerful that soon after take-off, it could climb straight up. Ford said it was actually the P-51 that was the inspiration for their sports car, the Mustang. During the Korean War, Gene's guard unit was activated to Alexandria, Louisiana for 17 months. Gene drove his 1941 2-door Studebaker, complete with rear fender skirts and windshield sun visor, back and forth between Wichita and Louisiana. Gene received his honorable discharge from active duty in the Air National Guard on April 1, 1952, and from the Air National Guard Reserves on April 1, 1955.

Gene met Vada Miller through his sister, Margie, who worked with Vada at the phone company. When Gene introduced Vada to his grandmother, Elsie Hall, Elsie turned to Gene and said, "I approve!" Gene and Vada were married April 12, 1953 at what Gene said was the largest wedding ever held at St. Luke's Methodist Church in Wichita. Vada said the church had the most beautiful stained glass windows she'd ever seen. Gene said Vada resembled actress Donna Reed, who starred with James Stewart in the film classic, "It's a Wonderful Life." Gene and Vada were to make a wonderful life together. They would have four boys and a girl; Larry, Mike, Charles, Ken and Karen. In the spring of 1956, Gene, his father and others started work in their spare time to build Gene and Vada's new home at 2228 W. St. Louis in Wichita. By fall it was completed, just 3-4 blocks away from Martinson Elementary School and St. Luke's Church. This neighborhood offered just about everything the kids would need.

Gene and his father went into the construction business together in Wichita, calling their business "E. H. Barnes & Son Construction" which was shown on the doors of their trucks, two of which were 1959 GMC trucks. Gene said he'd worked all over Wichita, and Saturdays were also work days. Many times they would have one or two carpenters working for them. The one that worked the most years with them was Leo J. "Slim" Allen (1907-1983). Another two appear in the guestbook of Gene and Vada's wedding in 1953. They were Wayne Carpenter and Napolean B. Cota (1908-1985) who was just known as "Coty." Herbie Green, a very powerful black guy, did cement work and dug foundation footings. Other hired help that followed were Gene's brother-in-law, Mel Miller, Gene's brother, Bob Barnes, Bob's friend Jimmy Morris, Gene's sons Larry and Mike, our cousin John Barnhart, Richard Stewart and Don Ramsey.
E. H. Barnes and Son built houses from the ground up, residential additions and remodel work for residential and small businesses. Generally doing the cement work, Gene and his dad also did the sheet rock and wood trim finish work as well as kitchen cabinets, counter tops and matching wood stains, anything built-in that was wood. Gene became a master craftsman at woodwork, famous for his kitchen cabinets. Harry once said that he was good at cabinet work, but Gene was better than he ever was. When it came to being a builder, Gene's most common phrase was "I was taught by the best, my dad." Gene and Harry left the stone and brick work, plumbing and electrical to sub-contractors, a number of which were regulars who became old friends. They included; bricklayer Jimmy Crabtree; painters, Glen Merrifield, and Don Graves; plumber Harley Riggs; plumber Dick Turnbull who was shot down over Germany in World War 2; cement contractor John Hunter. And there was (E.) Henry Headgepath (1918-2001), a plumber who Gene said could put a cast iron bathtub on his back and take it up a stairway by himself. In a chance meeting in 2016, Henry's grandson confirmed the same story to Gene's son, Larry.
In Clearwater, Kansas Gene and his dad built two houses, one built in 1947, and another built without the use of any power tools.
As mentioned, in 1956 they built the house at 2228 W. St. Louis Street for Gene and his family.
In 1960 they built the 3 bedroom home for Gene's dad, mom and brother Bob, located on the northeast corner of Central and Westridge Streets at 3526 W. Central.
Gene and his father formed close relationships with many of their customers including Charles E. "Ewing" Lawrence (1904-1999) and his son Richard. Ewing owned and operated Lawrence Lumber Co., moving it from 802 W. Douglas Ave. to 200 N. Osage Street in 1955. For years Lawrence Lumber was the main source of materials for Gene and his father's business. Gene's brother, Bob Barnes said Gene and his dad built the Lawrence Lumber buildings at 200 N. Osage Street. These buildings still stand, and "E. H. Barnes 55" (for 1955) can still be read there on the sidewalks and curbing (2015). Ewing's grandfather, Robert E. Lawrence (1847-1911) owned a stone mansion called Maplewood, later used by the Ks. Masonic Home at Seneca and Maple streets. Maple trees planted on their Maplewood property was the reason for the street being named Maple. Robert also donated land for Garfield University, now Friend's University. Ewing Lawrence's father, Charles S., a civic leader and two-time Mayor of Wichita, would throw the first pitch at Lawrence Stadium, named in honor of his father, Robert. Lawrence Elementary School, 3440 W. Maple, was named in their honor, the cornerstone being a stone block from the old Lawrence mansion, Maplewood.
Gene and his dad worked a number of times in the historic Wichita City Hall Building at 204 S. Main Street. This 1892 building is the flagship of Wichita landmarks with a 4-sided clock tower with 8 ft. diameter clock faces, spires, turrets and native Kansas stone walls, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Their projects there included work in the judge's chambers, and often spoke of Gene Corns, a supervisor there. Today it's the home of the Sedgwick County Historical Museum. The old clock tower still loudly and proudly chimes the time.
Another E. H. Barnes project was the remodel of The Bomber Club, a nightclub located at 3245 S. George Washington Boulevard, offering live Blues Music. Gene spoke of Gary Hayes, the owner.
Gene and his dad converted the house at 3015 N. Arkansas Street in Wichita from a two-story to a one-story, also building an addition onto this house.
Gene spoke many times of working on the house of Louise Fowler, the sister of singer Patti Page, located somewhere near the 2500 block of west Maple Street. Their Fowler family once lived in Wichita. Patti Page (real name Clara Ann Fowler, 1927-2013), known as "The Singing Rage," was the most successful female recording artist of the 1950's. A staggering accomplishment when you realize her competitors included Rosemary Clooney and Patsy Cline. As was stated, Page didn't just beat her competition in the 1950's, she destroyed them. Over her career Page recorded 100 albums and 160 singles, 84 of which made Billboard's "top 40." Her record sales topped $100 million. Her hit became the title song for the Bette Davis film, "Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte" which Page performed at that year's Academy Awards. Her hit, "Tennessee Waltz," was No. 1 for 30 weeks, becoming one of the most popular recordings of all time. She also became the first singer to have her own TV show on different networks. Page appeared on the Dean Martin Show (1965), and is mentioned by name in the lyrics of the song "Disney Girls" written for the 1971 Beach Boys album "Surf's Up." Captain and Tennille recorded "Disney Girls" on their debut album in 1975.
Gene and his dad converted a one-car garage into a family room for his mother and father-in-law, Orlo and Neva Miller, at their home located at 2106 S. Gold Street in Wichita. This family room was the site of many Sunday dinners and other important events in everyone's lives.
E. H. Barnes & Son built a house for Harold S. Carnahan and another similar modern-style, 1300-1400 sq. ft., 1-story ranch house located a short distance west on the same road. Both are situated about 1/4 mile west of Interstate 35 on 125th Street N. The Harold S. Carnahan house was built about 1963-64 at a selling price of about $12,000-$14,000. As in most cases, a handshake was their business contract. Gene said his dad was involved in building the cabin for Harold Carnahan several years before, located nearby on what we called "Carnahan's Lake," which can be seen along the west side of Interstate 35 and just south of the Sedgwick/Harvey Co. line. Gene and family and friends fished at that lake many times and were given access to the cabin, staying overnight several times.
Gene and Harry built another house in that area for Larry Carnahan (The son of Harold.) located on the s.e. corner of 101st St. N. and Rock Road.
Gene and his father worked on the home of an African-American couple, a name I recall was possibly Charles Mennifee. Gene and his dad really liked them.
E. H. Barnes and Son built offices at the car dealership located at 1520 E. Douglas and built the building across the street to the east. Quality Chevrolet replaced Hobbs Chevrolet in 1958 at that location. In 1991, Gene's son Larry would buy a truck there.
Another friendship Gene and his father formed was with the Reeves family. Harry knew three generations of this family, and Gene knew four generations, from blacksmith Roy Reeves (1880-1970), his son George W. Reeves (1908-1991), his son "Bud" Reeves (1932-1996) to Bud's sons who operate Reeves Engineering today, a business that Roy and his brother Ted started as a blacksmith shop at 721 W. Douglas Ave. in 1897. In 1964, Gene and his dad built a brick home for George Reeves located at 815 N. Sheridan St. at a cost of about $13,000. Gene would say the kitchen cabinets he built in this house were among his favorites. George Reeves, a big guy who was built like a blacksmith, would serve as a pallbearer at Harry Barnes' funeral in 1973. Gene mentioned visiting his friend George in the hospital when George was very ill. In the 1990's, Gene would purchase a small trailer as well as a strong, metal gate for his home from George's grandsons.
Gene spoke of their remodel work at the prestigious 10-story Hillcrest Apartments located at Rutan and Douglas Ave., and built in 1927. Even today, if you want to buy an apartment there you better have a sizable bank account.
Gene and his dad remodeled the home of Bob and Joanne Lytle at 2106 S. Ellis in Wichita. Joanne is a former classmate and long-time friend of Gene's wife, Vada.
They built an addition on the home of a Mr. Postalwaite (a postal employee) in Wichita.
In 1966 they did remodel work on the home of Mr. and Mrs. Pete Petersen, mother and father-in-law of Gene's brother, Bob.
One of the most recognizable projects of E. H. Barnes and Son is Toc's Coffeehouse Restaurant located on the n.w. corner of east Harry Street at 1519 S. George Washington Blvd., a building Bob Barnes says they built from the ground up in 1967. Amazingly, this 3,700 sq. ft. restaurant operated under the same name and location for nearly 44 years until its closing in early 2011. On Dec. 15, 2011, The Wichita Eagle announced, "Jimmie's to go in Toc's space," explaining that Jimmie's Diner would open in the old Toc's Coffeehouse building in 2012. Gene said Toc's came from owner Larry Scott's name spelled backwards. Jimmie's Diner was named for Jimmie King, a cook and manager at White Castle when it was founded in Wichita. When White Castle left Wichita, Jimmie purchased several of their locations turning them into "King's-X Restaurants" which he operated along with Toc's for decades. The construction of Toc's actually began with Gene and his dad tearing down the Poor Richard's Restaurant located on that site. Bob Barnes said some materials of the former restaurant were used in the kitchen walls for Toc's. Harry's granddaughter Diane, worked as a waitress at Poor Richard's. Bob Barnes and Jimmy Morris accidentally slid off of Toc's tall, steep roof while nailing sheeting, but fortunately landed in a pile of sand. I (Larry) recall some of us delivering lunch to my dad when they were finishing the interior. In the mid-1970's, Gene's sons Larry, Mike and Charles would stop at Toc's after bowling at nearby Boulevard Bowl. So, today the old Toc's building begins a second life as Jimmie's Diner. In 2012, Gene's wife Vada and son Larry had lunch in the "new" restaurant, formerly Toc's. We hope the old building remains in use for many years to come. On August 13, 2017 (Gene and Harry's shared birthday), Vada and Larry had lunch at the former Toc's restaurant.
Gene and his dad built a dark red brick home for Willard H. Casey at 830 N. Kessler Street. In about 2008, Gene's sister Polly was in town and had her nephew Larry drive her and her husband Dale over to see this house.
About 1967-68, Harry, Gene and his sons Larry and Mike were remodeling the office of a family business called Equitable Loan and Finance located on the s.e. corner of Douglas Ave. and Osage Street. What was immediately noticed was that three generations of the Barnes family were doing business with three generations of the Tanner family, Vic, Bob and Rod. Fine people.
When Gene was doing work on a residence on Bonnie Brae Street in east Wichita, he thought a small tornado hit, striping the boards off of a fence and taking them high in the air. He and another worker took cover under a truck. Other damage occurred in the area.
Gene worked on the home of artist Lloyd C. Foltz (1897-1990) at 1320 Woodrow Avenue. Gene said Lloyd's hand shook when handling a cup of coffee, but was rock steady when he picked up a pen or brush for his artwork. At age 88, Foltz's landscape artwork was the winning entry in Southwestern Bell's 125th anniversary contest, earning Lloyd's creation a place on the cover of Bell Yellow Pages for Kansas. The Univ. of Kansas collection lists 10 of Foltz's artworks. A copy of Foltz's Wichita/railroad theme print hung in Gene's bedroom. Gene and family members attended a gallery showing in Wichita that included Foltz's artwork as well as Lloyd himself. Gene made the introductions and we got to meet Lloyd.
In the summer of 1969, E. H. Barnes and son built a house for Harold H. and Lou Huckins located at 6314 N. Legion St. in Wichita. This 1,400-1,500 sq. ft. house with full basement and two-car garage was built at a cost of about $16,000-$18,000. Those that helped included Bob and Larry Barnes and cousin John Barnhart. John was surprised that Gene drank hot coffee even in hot weather. During one of the times Gene's wife, Vada, brought lunch, and most of their kids were there, a toad was noticed nearby. John had a cup of milk setting on the ground. You guessed it, the toad jumped perfectly into the cup! As I recall, the toad wasn't in a hurry to get out. John's mother said he never used that cup or thermos again.
E. H. Barnes and son built an addition on the home of the Russell Fiant family at 767 N. Doris Street. Bob, Larry and Mike Barnes and Jimmy Morris helped on this project.
Gene did remodel work on the Dairy Queen ice cream store located on the s.e. corner of Maple and Sycamore Streets, across from Lawrence Stadium.
In the summer of 1971, Gene, with sons Larry and Mike helping to dig foundation footings, built an addition on a home located in the vicinity of the 700 block of N. Colorado Street.
About 1971-72, Gene did a remodel work on the residence of a Mr. King located on S. Erie Street, just north of Pawnee Street. Larry Barnes and Charley Bowers assisted.
Gene did remodel work on a home at 202 N. Vine Street as well as the Dusenberry home at 308 N. Vine where Larry and Mike assisted.
Gene built a china hutch at 212 N. Vine Street, the home of Wilbur and Rhea Hall, the parents of Gene's old friend, Harold. They'd known Gene a long time and sure thought a lot of him.
Gene spoke of Gwynne Meeker and working on his beautiful home at 1330 N. Amidon, hidden near Sims Golf Course on a dead end road at 13th and the Big Arkansas River.
Starting in the summer of 1972, Gene, his dad, and with sons Larry and Mike, built a luxury, brick home for the Clifford Omo family at 2051 N. 215th St. West. Harry's heart trouble was getting worse and was only able to work sparingly.
In August 1973, Gene, Harry, with help from Larry and Mike, built a room over a double-car garage and dining room of the W. W. LeClerc home at 1604 N. Sheridan Street. This marked the last project of "E. H. Barnes & Son Construction" as Harry died on August 15th.
Gene saw O. Dean Bell (1931-2000) of Bell Mirror and Glass Co. at a restaurant and had a long talk about old times with Mr. Bell speaking at length about Gene's dad. Unfortunately, details of that conversation are unknown.
Through their business, Gene and his father formed many friendships, and many were life-long, which says a great deal about how they treated their customers and the quality of their work. Gene and Harry felt their name was on their work. Their customers did too.
The husband of Gene's sister Margie, was Clarence "Gene" Wright (1929-1973) who once told Gene and Harry that that unlike his work with the F.B.I., they, as builders, could stand back and literally see the what they had accomplished. How true, and we're glad we can.
Gene next went to work for Rainbow Construction in Wichita, a business owned and operated by H. "Paul" Howard (1934-2004) and his wife Kay. They thought a great deal of Gene and shared an important philosophy which was their work had to be their best because it had their name on it. Gene started at Rainbow as a carpenter, opening still another chapter in his life as a builder. When asked where Gene learned so much about construction, Gene used his standard answer, that he'd been taught by the best, his dad, Harry Barnes. Gene soon moved up to superintendent. But he was far more than a supervisor, he was right in the middle of it, instructing and working in all phases, doing much of the finish work. On one job he'd collapsed in the heat from a lack of water. Some workers called him "Straw Boss." Gene made sure everyone got their break times. Some of Gene's projects at Rainbow Construction included; the installation of the marble floor (on the first floor) of the historic Kress Building at 224 E. Douglas Ave.; various remodel projects at the Century Plaza Building at 111 W. Douglas Ave.; One Main Place at 100 N. Main St.; the K.S.B.&.T. Building at 125 N. Market; the remodel of The Better Book Room at 358 N. Main St. (Gene's brother Bob also worked on this project.); the Riverfront Building on the n.w. corner of Waco and Murdock; Built from the ground-up, the Mycro-Tek Company at 9229 E. 37th St. north. Rainbow superintendent Floyd Brown commented that another faze of this project Gene was also involved in was hanging interior doors "that were heavier than Gene. To remedy that problem Gene simply built his own dolly to handle the doors."; the remodel of Cloud Elementary School, and the addition to that school at 1212 W. 25th St. north; the Maize School building at 4600 N. Maize Road. Gene's grandchildren Clint and Kelsey were later students there; the bank building located on the n.e. corner of Tyler & 13th St.; work at the roller skate rink at the old Joyland Amusement Park which was located at 2801 S. Hillside Ave. Gene's son Chuck was on this crew; the office remodel of J. A. Mull Drilling at 221 N. Main St., decorated with some of Mr. Mull's exotic hunting trophies. Gene would later conduct a tour for family members there; Commtech Communications Tech.; the Girl Scout Camp located east of Wichita; the 1980 restoration of the 1873 Occidental Hotel at 300 N. Main St., the oldest brick building remaining in Wichita, a hotel from the Wyatt Earp era in Wichita. Gene's son Ken was on this crew.; The Victor L. Phillips Company at 3250 N. Hydraulic St.; built from the ground up, Intellect Systems at 405 S. Holland Road. Son Larry had a view of this building from his job at Typed Letters printing company on University St.; work on the branch bank building located on the n.w. corner of Central and Rock Rd.; Blackman/Lentz Optical in east Wichita; the office remodel at Wildcat Construction at 4421 W. Harry Street. Gene did much of wood finish work and gave his family a tour here.; Built from the ground up, Surgicare Wichita at 810 N. Lorraine Avenue. Gene's wife was later a patient there.; various projects at the Kansas Elks Training Center at 1006 E. Waterman St.; the offices of Dr. Ellis on east Central. On this project, a Wichita Eagle photo, dated 1-24-1980, shows Gene high on a ladder swinging his hammer in silhouette against the sky. The caption reads that Gene Barnes of Rainbow Construction was working on the tall base of the sign. Gene's son Chuck once worked at the Safeway Grocery store directly across the street.
Gene was chosen to be in charge of wrapping up the numerous details (he referred to it as a punch list) to complete the two-story, 6,000 sq. ft. home built for the Marty Burke family at 309 Kisiwa Parkway in Hutchinson, Kansas which included a tennis court and a library. Mr. Burke was quite difficult to please, but Gene proved to be up to the challenge.
In Newton, Kansas; the administration building at Prairie View Inc. at 1901 E. 1st St.; Methodist Youthville; and work on the historic Sante Fe Rail Mill.
As Gene's brother Bob said, Gene had done so many things in his life. Gene and Vada were very involved in their children's lives.
When Gene and Vada became grandparents they really enjoyed that chapter of their lives attending every type of event their grandkids were in from Kelsey's dance performances, basketball, field day competitions to school singing and orchestra. Photos show Clint, Kelsey and Jacob fishing with Gene (and Vada) at Sedgwick County Park as well as a location near Kingman, Kansas. Gene built bookcases for the grandkids, baby beds and a turquoise colored Dino the Dinosaur rocking horse for Logan.
A retirement party was held for Gene in 1991 at the home of his son and daughter-in-law (Chuck and Jeananna) in Goddard. A large turnout of relatives and friends came from throughout the area including Mrs. (Oleta) McClure, who lived practically next door to Gene's family from 1938-47 and taught art classes from her home to the Barnes kids and others in the area.
Gene had many interests, and retirement gave him more of a chance to pursue them. One of these was as a member of his high school reunion committee (North High, 1947). Gene served as treasurer and in 1997 was presented a framed photo of North High with engraved note, "To Gene Barnes For A Job Well Done." Much planning went into these reunions and these meetings were generally held in his home. Other committee members included Earl DeHaven, Peggy Metz, Jim Jeffress, Darrell Leason, Marine Wolf and Thelma Queen.
Gene took a photography class which also helped him record the sights of the area as well as some of his many building projects through the years.
Gene certainly loved to sing as shown by his more than 60 years as a member of the choir at St. Luke's Methodist Church. Music was very important to Gene who loved to have his radio tuned to KFDI AM (country music) at his job sites over the years. Especially when Gene ran his own business, if you saw his coffee thermos and his radio you knew he wasn't very far away. After retirement he joined "The Lewis Street Singers," a group of seniors who sing at retirement homes in the Wichita area. Hazel Doughty, Virginia Lightvold (sp) and Lavon Lynch were a few of the other members. Gene was also the emcee, introducing the songs at these performances.
Speaking of music, Gene and Vada saw various entertainers as they made their concert tours through Wichita which included Johnny Cash, Jim Price, Anne Murray, Neil Diamond, Tom Jones, The Smothers Brothers and Frank Sinatra.
Gene was faithful to the memory of his friends and family. And man did he live it. Memorial Day weekend he would decorate the graves of his parents, his uncle Ray Barnes and Charley Bowers at Wichita Park Cemetery. As the years passed the list grew to include his friends Bob Page and Larry Buckmaster, and his mother and father-in-law Neva and Orlo Miller. Then it included a trip to Caldwell (60 miles one way) to visit the grave of his sister Ellie and her husband Neal.
Gene's funeral was a packed house, held in the old St. Luke's church building where he and Vada were married and his family had so, so many memories. Gene's sons, his brother Bob and grandson Clint all wore neckties owned by Gene. Son Ken and family friend Tim Berlin gave their testimonies as to the impact Gene had on their lives and others. North High School classmate Marine Wolf spoke as well, joking that when Gene started talking about his children and grandchildren it was almost impossible to get a word in about his own family. He also said that Gene built a wheelchair ramp for Marine's wife, saying that it had made a real difference in their lives. The service included a song from Lewis Street Singers, a group Gene had so much fun singing with.
Per his request, Gene was buried with a hammer in his hand, having designated exactly which one. The 1985 Mercury (Grand Marquis) station wagon that Gene and Vada drove for years, formerly Vada's father's car, followed directly behind the hearse. The funeral procession passed right by Gene's high school, North High, and within sight of the old round house where his Shockers play basketball and where he'd watched so many Friday night high school games. As a light rain fell, Gene was laid to rest just a couple of spaces to the south from the people who had started him on his journey in life, his parents Harry and Mary, in Section C, located in the northwest area of Wichita Park Cemetery. The graveside service included a military ceremony.