Obituary of Johnathan Edward Barnes

Johnathan Edward Barnes 1976-2025, aged 49 of Hendersonville, TN, passed away as the result of a car accident on Monday, October 27, 2025 near Bowling Green, KY. He was born on March 1, 1976, in Morgantown, WV, a son of the late Rev. John A. and Jacqueline Barnes. He graduated as class Valedictorian of Shady Spring High School (WV) in 1994 and the University of Chicago with a BS in Mathematics in 1998. While at the U of C, he was part of the APXS team for NASA’s Mars Pathfinder mission. He worked most recently as a Senior Enterprise Architect for Humana, Inc. He is survived by two daughters, Charlotte Barnes and Elizabeth Barnes, and their mother, Amy Barnes, all of Hendersonville, TN, a sister and brother-in-law, Teresa and Stephen Musgrave of Bridgeport, WV, a niece, Grace Musgrave of Morgantown, WV, two aunts, Sandra Barnes Loar of Dublin, OH, and Janice Byrge Francis of Oxford, OH, in addition to many cousins and extended family. He will be remembered for his dedication to friends and family, as well as his Masonic brothers. He was known for his quick wit and detailed storytelling, possessing an innate curiosity and consequent knowledge about a wide range of topics, especially science, technology, history and genealogy. He enjoyed attending his daughters’ activities and was generous with the many pictures he took. Johnathan was initiated in 1991 in Parkersburg Chapter of the Order of DeMolay in Parkersburg, West Virginia and served as its Master Counselor. He received Order of Chevalier and became an Active Legion of Honor member in the Frank S. Land Preceptory, where presided as Dean. Johnathan was initiated, passed and raised in Chicago’s Oriental Lodge No. 33, A. F. and A. M. of the State of Illinois, where he served as Worshipful Master in 2003. He was commissioned a Grand Lecturer in the year prior and went to become a distinguished Grand Lodge Instructor, Grand Lodge committee chair, and Grand Representative to the York Grand Lodge of Mexico. In the York Rite, Johnathan presided in La Fayette Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M., Chicago Council, No. 4, Cryptic Masons, and St. Bernard Commandery, No. 35, Knights Templar, all of Chicago. He was the first Eminent Commander of Albert Magnus Commandery, No. 92, believed to be the premier chartered research Commandery and he served as Prior of Illinois Priory, No. 11, Knights of the York Cross of Honour. His leadership in the Appendant Bodies was extensive; he was never content to be a “sideliner.” Among his achievements, Johnathan was a Past Sovereign Master of Lux ex Oriente Council, No. 379, Allied Masonic Degrees of the USA, and served as Secretary for many years, He was a Past Sovereign of St John’s Conclave, Order of Red Cross of Constantine. Johnathan joined the Scottish Rite Valley of Chicago in 1998. He served as Commander-in-Chief of Oriental Consistory in 2010. That year he was coronated Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33˚, Honorary Member of the Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. An avid cigar and pipe smoker, he enjoyed many hours in fellowship with friends at Pipe Club at Briarworks in Columbia, TN and Pipe Club at Smoker’s Abbey. In lieu flowers, gifts may be sent to Masonic Family Health Services, https://masonicfamilyhealthfoundation.org/donation/ , or to Mountaineer Food Bank, https://mountaineerfoodbank.harnessgiving.org/donate/?method=one-time&selected-method=one-time&amount=50&campaign_id=0 . The family has entrusted the arrangements to the Ford Funeral Home, Allen Chapel, 215 East Main Street, Bridgeport. Friends will be received at the Bridgeport United Methodist Church, 251 Worthington Drive, Bridgeport, WV 26330, on Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 10 am until 11 am. The memorial service will be held in the church on Saturday at 11 am with Reverend Dr. Matthew Paugh officiating. A service of committal will follow in the Buckhannon Memorial Park, 503 Hall Road, Buckhannon, WV 26201, where masonic rites will be conducted by the Late Lodge No. 63 A.F. & A.M. of Bridgeport. Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.