Royce Vernon Barnett

On February 15, 2024, Royce Vernon Barnett entered the gates of Heaven in his home, surrounded by family, after 84 years of a life well lived.

Vernon was born on August 17, 1939, in Alex, OK, to Evadean and Acie Barnett.  He grew up in Oklahoma City and later moved to Pink, Oklahoma.   He was one of five children.

In 1956, Vernon married the love of his life, and they spent 67 wonderful years together.  The two built a beautiful life together.

Vernon and Rose Mary raised three incredible children.  As he put it, his #1 son, Scott, and his two darlin’ girls, Janie and Rhonda.  As a family, they spent lots of time camping at Lake Eufaula, playing a family favorite, Monopoly, and attending church together.

Vernon had many occupations; he enjoyed working in the dirt as a heavy machine operator.  He was an ace mechanic throughout his life.  In the seventies, he owned the Mobile gas station in Tecumseh, OK, and later opened Barnett Salvage, which became a family endeavor for many years.  He retired from Pottawatomie County District 2 where he served as a truck driver.

After a long day of work, Vernon would spend many hours contemplating life’s mysteries in his hammock just a swingin’.

Vernon was a family man who enjoyed sharing his wisdom with those he loved.  He enjoyed laughing and playing games, whether it was solitaire by himself or gin, dominos, and spades with family and friends.  He also enjoyed many happy moments with Rose at their Piney Woods lake home on Toledo Bend in Texas.

Vernon’s grandchildren lovingly cherish his role as a grandfather; as he shared qualities of unconditional love, strength, and generosity that extended beyond his immediate family to encompass a wide network of family and friends.

Vernon was the best Papa and shared many skills with his grandchildren such as how to bait a hook, back a trailer, and drive a backhoe.  One of his most famous sayings was, “You know Papa loves you and don’t you ever forget it”.

Above all, Vernon was passionate about his faith.  He enjoyed talking about the Lord.  There was never a day that he did not show God’s love and grace to his family.   Vernon’s wish was that people would come to know the unconditional love of God.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Acie and Evadean Barnett; two brothers, Larry Barnett and Frankie Barnett, and one sister, Clara May Evans.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Rose Mary Barnett; sister, Barbara Jolene Dowell; children—Scott Barnett, Janie Schmidlkofer and husband, Paul, Rhonda Bynum and husband, Paul; Grandchildren—Matthew Barnett and wife, Tasha, Candace Riley and husband, Joe, Bryan Schmidlkofer and wife, Crystal, Tyler Barnett, Adrienne Quirk and husband, Jepothy, and Hillary Clemmons; Great Grandchildren—Colton White, Seth Haggard, Megan White, Meghan Haggard, Nicholas White, Walker LaHue, Grace Clemmons, Everett Quirk, Frankie J Vernon Quirk, and Jacob Barnett; as well as, many other family members and friends.

Vernon’s children lovingly cared for him the last 9 months of his life with the thoughtful help of Valir Hospice.

Thank You to everyone for your thoughts and prayers for Rose Mary and the Barnett family.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024, 11:00 am, at CPN North Reunion Hall, 1702 Gordon Cooper Dr., Shawnee, Oklahoma 74801.