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Colonel Thomas Barnes was a resident of Bogalusa. He was a graduate of Bogalusa High School, Southeastern Louisiana University (BA Criminal Justice), Troy University (Masters Human Resources), Program Management (PMI), and several U.S. military courses, as well as a graduate of the School of Americas in Ft. Benning, Georgia.

Colonel Barnes was an ordinary man, yet an extraordinary human being who spent his life in the service of his country, retiring after 50 years. Colonel Barnes spent 25 years on active-duty military in the U.S. Army serving as an Infantry Officer. He was involved in the war on drugs in South America and was picked to join the first Joint Task Force in San Francisco, Calif. He served three tours in Germany and later would become a Special Operations Officer. It was these skills that would serve him later in his civilian life.

Colonel Barnes served 25 years working for the Department of Defense and the State Department. His missions dealt with nation building, humanitarian aid, training of foreign military and police in places like Liberia, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Iraq, and two tours in Afghanistan. Colonel Barnes’ passion was mentoring everyone he came in contact with. His greatest joy was seeing those he helped succeed.

Colonel Barnes leaves behind his wife of 51 years, Linda Gayle (Martin) Barnes; three sons, Thomas Barnes Jr. of Bogalusa, Chris (Cassie) Barnes of Goldsboro, N.C., and Corey (Marcy) Barnes of Dublin, Ohio; five grandchildren, Zachary and Sydney Barnes of Bogalusa, and Trevor, Tabitha and Gavin Barnes of Goldsboro; one brother, John Barnes of Bogalusa; one sister, Linda Baer of Pevely, Mo.; and also his sisters-in-laws, Patricia (Billy) Brumfield of Franklinton, Debbie Askew of Stateline, Miss., Cathy (Carlos) Clarke of Bogalusa, and Pam Pichon of Bush. He was also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Colonel Barnes was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Dorothy (Feutz) Barnes of St. Louis, Mo.; one sister, Paula Jean Campbell of Moscow, Mo.; his in-laws, Lindsay (Frenchie) and Alberta Martin; and two sisters-in-law, Janice (Martin) Borden and Karen (Martin) Hebert of Bogalusa.