Wendall Barnett

Wendall K. Barnett, 91, passed away October 17, 2018, peacefully at his home. Wendall was born January 26, 1927 in Bethel, Kansas to William and Minnie Young Barnett. Wendall served in the United States Navy during World War II and achieved rank of Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Petty Officer (GM3) while serving aboard USS Point Cruz and USS Boxer. He received many citations including a Good Conduct Medal and was Honorably Discharged.
After discharge from the Navy, Wendall was employed by Four-S Baking Co. in Los Angeles, CA for over 35 years, until his retirement in 1986. Wendall’s passions during this time were bowling and singing in Barbershop Quartets. In 1974, Wendall started two new passions that continued throughout the rest of his life: tennis and leaded glass artistry. In 1986 Wendall moved to the Espanola Valley and began assisting the tennis team, by 1987 he was Head Coach of Espanola Valley High School’s tennis team, where he received awards such as New Mexico Athletics Association 4AAAA Sportsman Recipient in 2009. He retired from the Head Coach position in 2017. Wendall also worked as a Park Ranger at the Abiquiu Reservoir during the summer for about 10 years. Wendall was an avid reader, and conversationalist; he also enjoyed cooking, socializing and making leaded glass art pieces that included windows, jewelry boxes and lampshades.
Wendall is survived by daughter Tina Barnett; sons Carl Barnett, Jeff Barnett and his wife, Janet, and Chris Barnett; children by marriage Fiona Simpson Rau, Victoria Simpson Cassady, and Phil Simpson; Paul Lewis, partner to daughter Nicki Barnett June Lewis; 10 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and a large extended family and many friends including very special friend Charlene Fitzgerald, Kurt Edelbrock, Richard Martinez, Tennis Coach Nancy Suazo, Peter Malmgren and Lucy Collier.  Preceding Wendall in death were his parents William and Minnie Young Barnett; sisters Opal Barnett Ecthingham and Alice Barnett; brothers Paul Barnett, Harley Barnett, Ralph Barnett, and Joseph Barnett; daughter Nicki Barnett June Lewis; daughter by marriage Sandy Simpson; wives Helen Archer, Marilyn Lloyd, Maryann Wagner, and Francis Simpson.The family would like to thank all the special people who helped Wendall at his home when needed prior to, during and after his hospital stays.
Burial will be November 8, 2018, at 2:15 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery with military presence, is being handled by DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory in Espanola, NM. Donations in his memory, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to the Espanola Valley Tennis Club, PO Box 4535, Espanola NM 87533.

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