Howard Raymond "Barney" Barnard

Chief Petty Officer (retired) Howard Raymond “Barney” Barnard died peacefully at his home in Warrenton surrounded by family after a long battle with multiple myeloma. He was 77.

Barney was born on Aug. 21, 1938 to Albert and Bonnie (Payne) Barnard in Marlow, Oklahoma.

He later moved with his family to New Orleans, where in 1955 at the age of 17, he joined the U.S. Navy. During his 20 years of service, he was stationed in Guam; Astoria, Oregon; Bremerton, Washington; New Orleans, Louisiana; San Diego, California; Vietnam; Honolulu, Hawaii; and San Francisco, California. During his career, he served on the USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31); USS Huse (DE-143); USS Oriskiny (CV-34); USS Garrett County (LST-786); USS Hornet (CVA-12); and USS Coral Sea (CVA-43); and participated in the quarantine of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis, numerous WestPac cruises in support of the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and the Mayaguez Incident.

He earned a Combat Action Ribbon during his service in the “Brown Water Navy” along the Mekong River following the Tet Offensive. It was during this tour that he was exposed to Agent Orange.

After his military service, Barney moved back to Clatsop County and took a job with the Warrenton Lumber Mill to raise his family. He was very active in the community as a coach and volunteer for various activities involving his children. He retired from the mill in 2005.

Barney is survived by his loving wife of nearly 56 years, the former Marilyn Marsh; his son Michael Barnard, daughter-in-law Lori Barnard; his daughter Patti Rhodes and son-in-law James Rhodes; son Steven Barnard and daughter-in-law Jane Jean-Barnard; grandson Colton Harper; granddaughter Lauren Barnard; grandson Joshua Barnard; granddaughters Andrea Jean-Barnard and Sarah Rhodes; great-grandson Caden Barnard; great-granddaughter Cassidy Barnard; sister Wanda Tassin; sister Carolyn Crabtree; sister Artis Strunk; sister-in-law Betty Marsh; brother-in-law Tommy Rowe; brother-in-law Jim Strunk, numerous nephews and nieces, and friends. He is proceeded in death by his father, mother, sister Linda Rowe, brother-in-law Ronald Marsh, brother-in-law Lloyd Tassin and brother-in-law Dwain Crabtree.

A graveside internment with military honors will be held at Ocean View Cemetery at 11 a.m. July 9 followed by a memorial service potluck at 1 p.m. at Warrenton First Baptist Church to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Lower Columbia Hospice, 2111 Exchange St., Astoria, OR 97103, who took amazing care to comfort him and his family in his final days.