Dennis "Gene" Barnes died of natural causes on December 9, 2024, at 82 years of age. He was born on September 2, 1942, in Wichita, Kansas to Frank Barnes and Leona Stewart Barnes. He married his high school sweetheart, Leslie "Joy" Archer, on November 29, 1963, in Vinita, OK. At the time of his passing, they had just celebrated their sixty-first wedding anniversary.

Gene graduated from Jet High School in 1960. He went on to graduate from Northeastern State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He retired as a District Manager for Public Service Company where he worked for thirty years.

Gene enjoyed sports of all kinds but was especially a fan of OU sports, Thunder basketball and the Dallas Cowboys. In his earlier years, he was an avid golfer and racquetball player. He enjoyed watching movies with his wife Joy, and every Thunder game was "date night" on the couch.

Gene was very proud of his two children, Diana and Chris. Of Diana, he would always say to Joy "she's a keeper." Chris kept Gene entertained as a kid with his many shenanigans, and as an adult they shared the love of sports. One of his greatest joys was spending time with their five grandchildren and watching them grown up. Many a memory was made with Grandpa Gene.

Gene had a great sense of humor. He never met a stranger. Just ask the folks who work at the public library and his neighbors!

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, and his son Christopher Gene Barnes. We know Chris met him with open arms and it was game day once again!

Survivors include his wife, Joy Barnes of Oklahoma City; daughter, Diana Acker and husband Bob; daughter-in-law, Mary Barnes; five grandchildren, Jakob Barnes, Mason McDonald, Jessica Jackson, Jennifer Hampton and Ryleigh McDonald; and three great grandchildren, Kristopher, Bella and Kai. He also leaves behind siblings, Bruce Barnes, Mary Ann Dinkins and Ron Barnes, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Gene was a man who loved the Lord and his family dearly. He will be greatly missed by all.

No services are planned at this time.