Harry B. Barnett

Harry B. Barnett passed away peacefully In Rancho Mirage,CA with family at his side.  He was 91 years young.  Born in January 1928 in Kansas City MO, he grew up in Easton KS.  Harry joined the US Navy in 1945, the day he turned 17. He proudly served in the USN for 21 years during WWII, Korean War, Viet Nam War and the Cold War.  He retired in 1965 while serving at Point Mugu Naval Air Station, CA with the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

His military career included destroyer duty during WWII, a year in Shanghai, China maintaining and flying in C-47 airplanes, and being an accomplished aircraft mechanic and plane captain with over 2,000 hours of flight time in P2V’s.   He served at the Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, CA,; San Diego Naval Base, Whidbey Island Naval Base and completed his duty at Pt. Mugu.

The day after he retired from the US Navy, he became a valued salesman at Hal Watkins Chevrolet in Oxnard, CA; earning Salesman of the Year.  Later he owned Ventura Auto Sales and Oak View Auto Sales, and retired from the automobile business in 1982.

While stationed at China Lake, he met Evis Mae Gentry.  They were married on July 22, 1949 and just celebrated 70 years together.

After living 30 years in Ventura County, Harry and Evis retired to the good life in Palm Desert, CA, where they enjoyed golf, card playing, and entertaining friends and family from everywhere.  They especially enjoyed time spent with the grandchildren.  Paso Robles, CA was their home for 10 summers, where they met many new friends and entertained with lots of family parties.

Harry loved flying planes.  His great love of aviation inspired his grandson, Randy, who also earned a pilots license and flies vintage WWII aircraft.  Another passion was baseball that he enjoyed with his grandson, Wes.  A devoted and generous grandpa to his girls, Audra, Tammy, Tina, Elisha, Tanna, Riley, Lacey, Lilly, Emme, Rainee, Charlotte and ElleLouise, he shared his love of thrift store shopping and often took them on endless buying sprees, to their delight.

Harry Bolton Barnett was a 60-year member of the Masonic Lodge No. 45 In Easton, KS. a member of the Fleet Reserve Association, the Old and Bold Pilots Association of Palm Desert, CA and the Estrella Warbirds in Paso Robles,CA

Harry and Evis have lived at the Atria Assisted Living for the past 5 years, where he touched the hearts of all with his ever present sense of humor.  The residents, caregivers, and employees always looked forward to his daily jokes to brighten their days.  He kidded everyone, but always with a very big smile.  Sincerest thanks to all the wonderful staff in Palm Desert, CA

Harry always said that there would come a day when he would be called for duty in “celestial navigation”.  Surely, he has been welcomed with love and joy.  He had the respect of all who knew him, young and old.  No one who ever met him was a stranger for long.  He was truly an honorable man and will be deeply missed by all, but never forgotten.

There will be a dual memorial service in June at the Estrella Warbird Museum in Paso Robles,CA

Evis M. Barnett

Evis M. Barnett passed away October 25, 2019 in Palm Desert CA, just 50 days after her beloved husband of 70 years… left her side.

Born in the family  farmhouse near Lakefield, Minn. in 1930,  Evis was raised in Long Beach  after her parents relocated to California in 1935.  After graduation from Jordan High School, she began her life journey traveling north on the 395 heading for Reno with her girlfriend to find work.

It was 1947 and one stop in China Lake at the Naval Air Weapons Station and she was hired at the Michelson Lab.  Evis met the love of her life, a Navy seaman, Harry Barnett and they were married in July 1949.

She was very proud to be a Navy wife for over 20 years, and enjoyed the company and friendship of the wives and children of deployed men.  She once traveled by DC-3 to a stormy Adak, Alaska to visit Harry who was on deployment with his VP-2 flight squadron.

Evis was a gifted homemaker when the family was young and entertaining was a favorite activity.  She loved being a mother to her three daughters, Linda, Susan and Diane and encouraged each with their unique personalities.  She emphasized kindness, tolerance, manners and that girls could do anything, no barriers.

The second career for Evis was working in the Purchasing Dept. for the Ventura Community College District.  She made life long friends in Ventura County for 30 years and her friendships were always forever.

Evis and Harry enjoyed an exciting life, with travel often by “space available” on many types of Navy and Air Force planes all over the country.  One of their car trips lasted for two years, visiting relatives and friends and just exploring the West.  They spent one month every year in Hawaii and summers in Paso Robles.

Settling in Palm Desert CA was a dream for a sun loving, warm natured grandmother. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and boasting of them was her specialty.  She spent countless hours playing with dolls, beanie babies, trucks and tractors.

She inspired everyone she met with her flair for fashion, her beautiful blue eyes and her deep, sincere compassion.  Everyone she met was important and worthwhile and you knew you were special.

As Evis and Harry transitioned into assisted living at Atria Palm Desert, their social life got even better.  Again, the family thanks the wonderful staff that so loved our parents.

Harry and Evis are survived by three devoted daughters, Linda Barnett; Diane Barnett, and her two children, Audra and Wesley Antczak; and Susan (Tom) Wilber, their three children, Tammy (Roger) Haas, Tina (Larry) Knight, and Randy(Elisha) Wilber.  Five great grand daughters and three great-great grand daughters.  Harry is also survived by one brother, Robert Welch, in Lawrence, KS.

The loss of our father and then our mother, so suddenly, is tremendous, but the thought of them holding hands once again brings solace and comfort and peace to our sadness.