Dave Barnes was a coach to some, a colleague to others, and a friend to nearly everyone who met him. The communications director and teacher for Kokomo Center Schools Corp. for 31 years, desk editor for the Kokomo Tribune for 11 years, and life-long track, running, and basketball coach and competitor, Barnes had the chance to touch the lives of many in Kokomo and Howard County.
Barnes passed away on May 12 after several years of health challenges, though he continued to work for the school system until his final days. His memory will not pass any time soon, however. Hundreds could share stories of how he made a difference in their lives. The Kokomo Lantern reached out to a few of Barnes’ friends from his days at the Kokomo Tribune, as well as at Kokomo High School, to honor the man for his service in the community.
John Wiles, former managing editor of the Kokomo Tribune
I knew Dave Barnes first as a Kokomo Tribune news/sports reporter when I was the newspaper’s managing editor, then as a good friend for more than 40 years.
As a journalist, Dave was accurate and reliable. He worked on some of the biggest, most difficult, and complicated news stories in Howard County. They included the misuse of funds by a former Indiana University-Kokomo business manager and the exposure of discretionary fund purchases by a former Howard County prosecutor.
Dave, a high school and college runner and a high school cross country and track coach, introduced me to road racing in the 1970s. He slowed his pace to run with me and train me for long-distance running. He ran with me in my first race. It was a four-miler in Highland Park.
He ran with me in the second Indianapolis Mini Marathon in 1978. Initially, the Mini, a 13.1-mile run, started at 11 a.m. the Friday before Sunday’s Indy 500 auto race. The Mini started at Indianapolis Monument Circle and finished at the start/finish line at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. There was no water on the course for runners in 1978, so my wife, Anne, met Dave and me every four miles with water at the 1979 and ’80 Minis. While participating in this year’s Mini, my thoughts drifted back to Dave and those first Minis.
Dave, the late Jane Hubbard, and I directed the Pacesetter, a four-mile road race in Kokomo in the 1980s and ‘90s. During the 10 years of that race, our goal was to put on the best and most competitive race in the Midwest. We did just that! Some of the best runners in the Midwest participated in the race. We also had such celebrity runners as the world-famous milers Jim Ryun and Jim Spivey.
Dave and I continued working together on projects after he became communications director at Kokomo Schools. He served with me on the board of Goodfellows of Kokomo, Inc., the oldest Christmas program for children in Howard County. He helped with the Goodfellows scholarship program and recruited high school seniors to be Goodfellows volunteers.
Dave was a responsible and hard-working colleague, but, most of all, he was a dear and trusted friend who I will miss greatly.
Mark Lyons, former Kokomo Tribune desk editor and reporter, and Kokomo Schools IT specialist
I met Dave Barnes in the summer of 1981. He had been recently promoted to assistant sports editor of the Kokomo Tribune, and I was an intern, fresh off my sophomore year at Ball State University.
Dave taught me a lot about covering local sports, but also about life. Our paths crossed many times after that summer -- later at the Tribune when I became a full-time staffer, and again in the early 2000s when I joined the Information Technology Services department at Kokomo School Corporation, where he was already established as KSC's communications director.
Dave always cared about the job, but he cared even more about the people involved. Family was always important to him, and I made it a priority for myself when I got married and started a family of my own. He will be sorely missed.
John Martino, Kokomo Tribune outdoors columnist
I was heartbroken to hear of the passing of Dave Barnes. He was a huge, positive influence for countless in our community as an educator, communicator, administrator, and most importantly, as a friend.
Through the years, I have used his guidance and wisdom since he originally began teaching at Northwestern High School. He continued to help me, as well as others, while employed with the Kokomo Tribune, Kokomo Center Schools, and coach.
There is no doubt he was one of the “Good Ones” and will be missed. He will always be remembered as a person who has given so much to so many people.
Steve Geiselman, former Kokomo Tribune and Kokomo Perspective reporter and desk editor
I’ve known Dave for about 35 years. When I was starting out as a very green aspiring sportswriter, he was working on the Tribune copy desk. I always appreciated the time he took to explain why he was changing what I wrote and how I could get better. I think that was the teacher in him. It was evident that he wanted to help others be better whether it was in the newsroom, the classroom or on the track.
Mike Geiselman, former Kokomo Tribune and Kokomo Perspective sports reporter
In my mind there are people I have counted over the years who were, in my words, “a good dude.” There is no doubt that Dave was one of them. He always seemed to be glad to meet you, no matter the circumstances, and there was a great deal of sincerity behind that which was obvious. He was the kind of guy I sometimes wish I could be more like. I have no doubt there's a big hole left in the Kokomo and Kokomo School communities.
Lorene Sandifur, Kokomo Schools teacher and fellow runner
Dave Barnes’ love and devotion to KHS was only surpassed by his love and devotion to his wife and sons. He was a great runner in his younger days and passed on his passion for track and field to countless KHS harriers. KHS has lost so many icons in the last several months. Dave's far-reaching impact on KHS and Kokomo Center Schools will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.
Memorial services for Barnes will take place this Friday. Visitation will take place from 3-7 p.m. at Crossroads Community Church, 4254 S, 00 EW, followed by a memorial service at Kokomo High School’s Walter Cross Field, 2501 S. Berkley Road, at 7:30 p.m., and a “Last Mile” walk/run on the track at 8:45 p.m.
The funeral service for Barnes will take place on Sat., May 20, at Crossroads Community Church, with visitation from 1-3 p.m. and a service to follow.