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JOE BARNES

"THE REAL BOAT 239"

From Rita Barnes

To the Kentucky Drag Boat Association

Thank you for the beautiful flowers and most important for your friendship, I have hopefully sent a personal thank you to each of you present that day for the generous check. If I left anyone out I apologize, (not thinking too good these days). Joe enjoyed being with you all so much. He didn't enjoy racing so much anymore, but he loved making a motor run. Keep in touch.

 Sincerely, Rita Barnes and children 

The check went into Brooke's college fund as I feel Joe would have wanted.

A Tribute To

Joe Henry Barnes, Jr.

3 Sep 1944 – 28 Aug 2004

By:  Rob Laxton, 30 Aug 2004  

Joe will always be remembered and never forgotten. I am sure you have your own special memories of him. A few things that come to my mind are how he was always there to help anyone who needed it. He was sought out by family and friends for his advice on repairing or buying a car, racing boats, and anything else that came along.  Another thing was his zest for life and riding the fast lane. He tinkered in car racing for a short while....but that wasn't for him. His love of the water and things that go fast lead him along a 25 year path as a professional boat racer. One race at Dacus Lake in Arkansas comes to mind -- Joe invited my mother to come watch the races. This would be the first and last time she would see him get behind the wheel. He was standing with us when during one of the races prior to his...a boat hit a wave and flipped. My mother was distraught....not only for the racer but for Joe. I can still see him standing there and telling my mother...

"It'll be alright"

In February 2001 one of the most famous race car drivers ever was killed during the Daytona 500. While everyone mourned his passing, the other drivers and race planners were pondering if they should continue racing the following week. They each asked "What would Dale do?"...and they all replied "Dale would want us to race". This last Saturday in Livermore, Kentucky Joe's extended family, ---his fellow racers, ---were faced with a similar question and without a doubt Joe would have wanted the racing to continue. Joe has cheated death numerous times in his life and in God's grand scheme of things He decided that the 28th of August 2004 was Joe's time. Though it's a tragic loss, there could not have been any other way for Joe to go, -other than while doing what he loved...racing. While Joe is no longer with us in body, ---he will always be with us in spirit. We can imagine him showing off his talents to his mom and dad racing the heavenly waterways and watching over each of us.

 In closing, I would like you draw on your last memory of Joe and his sheepish grin as he whispers to you...

 "It'll be alright"

If you wish to sign Joe's guest book you may do it by clicking here: joebarnesjr

Hello

My name is Rob Laxton and I am one of Joe Barnes’ nephews.  I want to first say thank you and your members for showing so much support for my uncle’s family during these troubled times.