Rick Barnes (no one called him Richard and he tried to live down his boyhood name of Ricky) was born in Omaha on November 6, 1962, the third son of Stan and Cindy Barnes. He was the “baby brother” for almost six years to Jeff and Alan, until he became the “middle brother” when Pat and then Rodger were born.

Like his brothers, Rick attended Yutan Public Schools and graduated with the Class of 1981. Not long after that, he started with Baxter Chrysler/Plymouth in Omaha delivering auto parts. He spent the rest of his life in providing parts to keep people moving – many years with the NAPA chain of stores, but in the last part of his life with Cummins of Omaha. It was said he had amazing tracking abilities, even finding parts said to no longer exist.

He loved Minnesota, fishing, and being outdoors, and was always interested in the latest technology that might be fun, from iPads to drones to e-bikes to ATVs – it was always some new toy to try out when Rick came to the family farm. And if it didn’t catch his interest, he’d pass it off to someone else while he went for the next toy.

Rick had a dry but amazing sense of humor, from wry comments to facial expressions to BS stories he told his little nieces and nephews. But as they got older and went through school, he took an interest in what they had to say, always made them laugh and feel heard. And they will miss that.

He was a rock-solid son, brother, brother-in-law, or friend whenever he was needed and without complaint. He never married but was a fantastic uncle to his nieces and nephews who loved him and took on some of his humor themselves. He could always be counted on to let them ride, drive, fire, or explode what their moms said they shouldn’t.

Rick was only 59 and in a lot of ways a boy who never grew up. And we’re glad for that and will miss him.

Yutan – Survived by mother: Cynthia Barnes; siblings: Jeff (Susan) Barnes, Alan Barnes, Patrick (Andrea) Barnes, Rodger Barnes; many nieces, nephews, other loving family & friends. Preceded in death by father: Stan Barnes.