Robert "Bob" Barnes

Robert “Bob” Barnes, 82, of Webberville, Texas passed away August 2, 2022.  Bob was born in Denver, Colorado, and spent formative years in Austin and Kerrville.  Bob and his wife Irma were married nearly 50 years and made Webberville their home since 1978.

After graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy.  After his military service, he went to work as a ranch hand for several of the storied Texas ranches including the 6666.  Back in Central Texas, he worked the drag line at Butler Brick for several years.  A man of many careers, he operated a service station in the late 70s on MLK Blvd in Austin.  He moved on to sell trucks for McMorris Ford, later was a dump truck driver and eventually a heavy equipment operator.

If you met Bob, you knew his personality was just as big as his 6’4” frame and the massive road machines he operated.  Later in life, Bob built a set of storage units that he named after his wife Irma, which continue today.  Bob loved spending time on the coast fishing and was able to turn his passion into a business as a fishing guide service in Port Aransas for several seasons.  Bob created a small orchard of fruit trees on their acreage and canned the produce.  What Bob enjoyed most of all was a casual gathering of friends at home with his wife, eating fried fish or barbeque with a cold beer.

Bob never lacked for determination and fought his way back from cancer treatment and hospital stays several times.  Later, when he wasn’t able to drive his truck, he could be seen riding his electric wheelchair “his buggy” down the street, across a friend’s property, and along the side of FM 969, to the Dollar General where he could browse the store, tell jokes and chat with the employees.  He always hoped he had enough battery power to make it back home.

Bob was preceded in death by both his parents, Robert Barnes and Minnie Marie Campbell Barnes and Irma’s son, Jeremey Pack, who Bob loved and considered his own.  Bob is survived by his loving wife Irma, half-brother, George Propheter; and his niece, Marcey Skay.

Family and Friends will gather for Visitation at Elgin Funeral Home, Thursday, August 11th from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM.  A Celebration of Bob's Life will be conducted at Elgin Funeral Home, Friday, August 12th at 2:00 PM with the Pastor, Lance Cook presiding.