Neal Kelly Barnes, Born May 26, 1983, passed away October 15, 2012 at the age of 29. He leaves behind his wife, Sarah Barnes; two beautiful children, Neal Wayne Barnes and Kwincee Kaye Barnes; mother and father, Cheryl and Rick Haasakker; brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Catherine Barnes; nephew Carter Alexander Barnes and numerous other family members and close friends.
Neal was raised in Boulder, MT and a graduate of Jefferson High School in 2002. He grew up always protecting his peers when they were in need of support and became a hard working person from an early age. He continued on in life joining the U.S. Marine Corps and proudly served our Country in 3 tours of duty in Iraq with the 1st Marine Division and 1st Combat Engineer Battalion Charlie Company. During his spare time, Neal was an avid fisherman, hunter and loved camping and a lot of times would sit by the campfire until dawn! Spending time with his children was by far the best thing he loved to do. He would take little Neal on 4 wheeler and tracker rides. With Kwincee, he loved doing ‘belly time’ with her and found it amazing how she grew stronger (and chunkier) every day.
Neal was a great Marine, devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend. He loved his family, his country and he was a proud Marine. His life will be continued in great memories for his son and daughter’s legacy. He will be remembered and missed by so many.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, October 21st at Retz Funeral Home. A Funeral Service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, October 22nd at the Montana National Guard Chapel, 1900 Williams Street, Fort Harrison with burial to follow at 3 p.m. at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery with Military Honors. A memorial fund has been set up at First Interstate Bank of Helena, 3401 N. Montana Ave., Helena, MT 59602 for Neal’s children. To offer condolences or share a memory of Neal, please visit below.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Monday October 22, 2012
Montana National Guard Chapel
1900 Williams Street
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Interment
Monday October 22, 2012
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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SSgt Jordan T. Johnson says
Neal, it’s been so many years since our days in Iraq. But your memory still stays strong. You will never be forgotten Brother.
With tears and love,
JJ
ryan barrett says
neal your a great man and friend. I will never forget our hunting adventure we had down in boulder. Also i will have the memory of trying to start that outfitting business with you. Thank you for being there. memories will never be lost
Patrick Wall says
Neal your going to be greatly missed. Your passing is untimely and weighs heavy on our hearts. I hope your in a better place now waiting for the rest of us to join you. You’ll never be forgotten brother. Especially since I still have that scar on my elbow!
Charles Pugh says
Barnes I will miss you greatly until we meet again. Your memory will never be forgotten, rest well brother Semper Fi.
Steve McCall and Family says
Neal, I remember the hunting stories of you and Mark, I still smile and snicker when I think of the time you and Mark were out and ran short on shells… You are a true friend man, we all miss you and hope you are resting, so long for now bud.
Sgt. Bill Hughbanks says
Barnes, I will always remember you as that goofy Marine who loved his grilled cheese sandwiches. You were a great Marine, a good friend and an entertaining roommate. I will recall with great fondness our long conversations about hunting, Montana, what we will do when we “get out.” Rest easy brother, Semper Fi.
Freddy Zabala says
Barnes, words come short in describing how much you will be missed. You live on in our memories, and will never be forgotten. Rest in peace Brother.
Ian m Johnson says
we will miss you dearly Neal, we had a lot of good times. Rest in peace.
Robin says
Neal, there are no words to describe how greatly you will be missed. I did not know you very long, but from the stories I’ve heard you were a great man, friend, and Marine. Thank you for taking care of my husband all of those years. I will never forget you guys spending the week with us before our wedding and you pulling a total Marine maneuver and climbing through our balcony and picking the lock when I accidentally locked y’all out. Don’t worry, I will take care of your “brother from another mother”. Until we meet again.
Mrs Julie Brantley says
My heart goes out to each of you after reading your very sad news in this morning’s Great Falls Tribine. His passing is the saddest way we can lose someone, I’m convinced.
I have a son Neal’s age and it struck a tender chord in my heart –
Do know that we have a loving, understanding God who sent angels to pick him up and you will see him again, tho I know the those whom he left behind are in such pain
and those two precious children will grow up without their Daddy.
Too, I lost my husband at 29 and had 3 to raise alone, in 1980, so I know how that is. Only with God’s help and friends’ did we make it alone all these years.
Again, my heart goes out to all of you~
Andrea and Matt Dolezal says
To Neal’s family :
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May God bless you at this incredibly difficult time. Neal–Rest in Peace.
Sgt Jason T Verrette says
Neal always had a smile on his face and made sure everyone around him did as well. He will be greatly missed! My prayers and condolences to the family!
Sheri and Todd Sullivan says
Barnes Family,
Our hearts ache for your entire family! Neil was an amazing man and we pray for your family! Neil always had a smile on his face and was in our shop not to long ago talking about his kids! I hope one day they understand what a Great Person he was! If we can do anything for you guys please let us know!
The Sullivan’s
Steve and Ilana Tuten says
Cheryl, Rick & Mark, Words can not express the pain we are feeling for you. It could have been so easily our family going through this nightmare. But with God’s grace you will make it through. If you need anything at all we are always just down the street. God bless.
Semper Fi
The Tuten Clan
Sgt Jesse Crnkovic says
We are all saddened to hear of your untimely passing. We have all been through so much together, and I am so proud to have shared in part with some of your precious time here. Through your selfless sacrifices to your Country, the Marine Corps, and the Combat Engineers community you will forever be our brother and never be forgotten. Rest easy now brother, we have the watch from here.
Philippians 1:3 – I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
Crnk
1st CEB Charlie 1st
Sgt. Jose A. Salazar says
I’m still at a loss of words since the news of our brother that has left us. I just keep thinking of all the times we had in OIF I and how we always tried making the best of things which wasn’t that hard around you. I wish we would have gotten some time to cast some lines or sit around the fire remembering the good times out at a lease waiting for the kill. I’ll miss you bro and you will never be forgotten, at ease marine, till we meet again.
Semper Fi,
Sgt Jose A Salazar
Tony Morrison says
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Neal. He was a great young man. I knew Neal as a young man working for my daughter Angie at our Dairy Queen. Neal was quiet, somewhat shy, courteous and a very good worker. He always a had a grin on his face and gave over 100% on everything that he did. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You are greatly missed.
Richard Cassels says
Neal, I did not have the pleasure of knowing you personally, however, I know what you stand for in this world, and it is an honor to live in the country you made safe for us and our families. Semper Fi my brother in arms- Heaven’s Gates awaits your service.
Levi Streib says
Rick, Cheryl, and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts during this most difficult time. May you find comfort in memories and in each other to get you through this.
Susan George says
Dear Barnes Family: I am so very sorry for your great loss of your dear husband,father and son (Neal) during this most difficult time. I hope you can find comfort in the promises given to us by Our Very Loving Creator Jehovah God. John 5:28,29 & Revelation 21:4 he promises to give Neal back to his family in the resurrection right here on earth in the near future and end all sadness,sickness,suffering and death forever.