Mr. DeArnold R. Barnette, “De”, 76,of Jasper, Tennessee, died unexpectedly on Monday, April 23, 2012 in a Chattanooga hospital.
He was a graduate of Marion County High School, Middle Tennessee State University and the Rutger’s Graduate School of Banking. He served in the U.S. Army.
He began his career at the Purse Advertising Agency and later became senior vice president of Marketing at American National Bank and was the bank’s public affairs officer. He worked at other financial institutions in Louisiana and Oklahoma. He was very active in the Allied Arts Council, Chamber of Commerce, the Little Theater and the Republican Party.
He served as one of the delegates to the Tennessee State Constitutional Convention, from the Hamilton County area and one of six chosen as “Outstanding Young Men in America” award in 1971.. He served as a member of the board of Trustees at St. Andrews Sewanee School. He was appointed by Governor Lamar Alexander to the Private Industry Council and named chairman of the research and projects committee.
He received many awards during his career and community activities for the betterment of his community and country.
He and his family were longterm members of Christ Church Episcopal where he served as a vestry member and licensed lay reader.
Mr. Barnette was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Myrtle Barnette of Sequatchie, Tn., his sister, Anna Love Willis and his brother, Howard E. Barnette.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Minter Barnette; his daughters, Cheryl (Adam) Quirk of Maryland, DeAnn Barnette of Jasper; his son, Robbie (Leslie) Barnette, of Harrison. He also had four grandchildren, Ryan Barnette Quirk, Avery Vann Quirk, Ella Grace Barnette and Elijah Jason Barnette, and several nieces.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5-9 p.m. CDT, on Wednesday, April 25, and at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday, April 26.
Funeral services will be conducted at Christ Church Episcopal located at Douglas and McCallie Ave. in Chattanooga, at 2 p.m., on Thursday, April 26, with Father Jon Anderson and Father Harry Lawrence officiating. Interment will follow in Sequatchie Valley Memorial Gardens.