Douglas Neal Barnes

Douglas Neal Barnes, 80, of Levelland passed from this life on April 14, 2023.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 29, 2023, in the Krestridge Funeral Home Chapel.  Interment will follow in the City of Levelland Cemetery.

He was number 10 of 11 children born to Elbert Monroe and Odey Faye (Bowers) Barnes on November 13, 1942 in Levelland.  Doug graduated from Levelland High School where he played football and ran track.  He attended Baylor University before enlisting in the Air Force in 1963.  Doug served in Pakistan during the Vietnam War in intelligence.  He reached the rank of Corporal before being honorably discharged in 1967.

Doug enjoyed various careers: computer programming in the 70’s; sales for different industries including the oil field; and piloting for the Walker Family crop dusting business.  He ended his career retiring as a lieutenant in the Sheriff’s office in the Lubbock County Jail. 

Family was always the center of Doug’s world since he came from such a large family.  He was so proud of this family, whom he loved very much, and proud to be from Levelland.

Doug enjoyed music and led the choir in church when he was a teenager and young adult.  He loved to sing and dance, especially country music. 

He played golf and rode motorcycles.  One of his favorite places to be was in the mountains of northern New Mexico and Colorado. 

Doug was a romantic and a poet, having several of his own poems published.  “The Eyes of our Tree” was a poem he wrote about the history of his family and is highly cherished. 

He always had a glint of mischievousness in his eyes and loved to joke.  Doug had a quick wit, charming gentle laugh and a streak of stubborn independence a mile wide.  He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert Monroe Barnes and Odey Faye Barnes; brothers, Donald Barnes and Jack Gammon; sisters, Odey Faye Walker, Mildred Childress, Eva Ann Vaughn, Bo Cooper and Eddie Flo Holloway; and second wife, Mary Barnes.

He is survived by his only child, daughter, Jaime Girardi and husband Dave; grandchildren, Lexianna and D.J. Girardi; brothers, Royce Barnes and David Barnes; sisters, Linda Burns and Eula Jane Funk; and many loved and adored nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Krestridge Funeral Home.  (806) 897-1111