Robert Kenneth Barnes, 74, of Bloomingdale, Georgia, formerly of North Platte, passed away Dec. 24, 2017, at home, surrounded by his immediate family.

Robert Kenneth Barnes was born on July 17, 1943, in North Platte to the late Melzar (Red) and Opal Lee Barnes. He graduated from North Platte High School in 1961.

After graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1964-68 at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha.

He met his wife of 49 years, Mary Morehouse Barnes, in 1967, and they were united in marriage in June 1968. They moved to Marrietta, Georgia, in 1969 so he could work for Lockheed Aircraft, then worked in the heating/air conditioning field after being laid off.

In 1974, they moved to North Platte, where in 1975, he started his career at Union Pacific Railroad. He retired from UPRR in 2005.

In 2013, they moved to Bloomingdale to enjoy retirement. He enjoyed spending time at the lake, camping, boating, waterskiing, golfing, going to stock car races and watching NASCAR.

In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters, Shelly (Lyndon) Ginn of North Platte and Cindy (Brian) Canaday of Sutherland; grandchildren, Lauren and Parker Ginn of North Platte and Trevor Shannon of Sutherland; brother, James (Judy) Barnes of Granite City, Illinois; sister, Frances Burch of Ravenna; aunts, Dorothy Miller of Omaha and Daisy Musser of Tryon; sisters-in-law, Sandra (Ron) Bosiljevac of Pooler, Georgia, and Sharon (Craig) Koppit of Omaha; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Online condolences may be shared at stricklandandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Bethel Evangelical Free Church, 2700 W. Philip Ave. in North Platte. Burial will be at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors. Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Homes — West Chatham Chapel, West Pooler, Georgia, is in charge of arrangements.