Michael Philip Barnes

Major Michael Philip Barnes, 84, of Winston-Salem, NC passed away at his home on Thursday, October 29, 2026. He was born on September 11, 1942, in Kansas City, KS to Rev. Dennis and Iola Barnes. He was a proud graduate of The University of Texas, Class of 1964. After graduating, Mike served as a career officer in the United States Air Force where he was an Air Operations Officer in Navigator Strategy and later a Scientific Analyst. Serving in both peacetime and during the Vietnam War, he was awarded many decorations and citations including the Distinguished Flying Cross and Meritorious Service Medal. Following his distinguished service, Mike earned his master’s degree in computer science and embarked on a second career as a computer professor at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, TX, and then in the technology field at Verifone and Hewlett Packard and finally for his friend Steve Thompson at Willowbend.

Throughout his life, Mike was dedicated to his God, his family, and his church. Making his profession of faith in Jesus Christ at a young age, Mike served many churches as a deacon, a teacher, a committee leader, and a devoted member. Mike married his lifetime love, Caroline Jeffers, at their church, El Camino Baptist in Sacramento, CA, and they celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary this year. Together, they lived in 5 different states and on the island of Guam. They raised 3 boys and loved 8 grandchildren.

Mike enjoyed sports, books, games, and music. Watching baseball and football, especially his beloved Dallas Cowboys, was a regular occurrence. He followed Formula-1 racing and NASCAR and made a point to take his boys to the inaugural F1 race in Austin, TX at the new Circuit of the Americas track. At every event he would have another novel with him, usually mysteries, a history, science fiction, or any good novel by C.S. Lewis or other faith-based authors. If there was a chance, he would make his way to an author's signing, which helped him to fill up a bookshelf with Sue Grafton autographs from A to Y.

His sons remember their dad’s passion for board games. From 1970’s World War II simulations to breakout Euro games of the early 2000 and even into new Kick starters, he was always eager to get something to the table, even his turntable. Notoriously, Mike did not have the best pitch when it came to singing, but he loved music. His HiFi was primed with a variety of LP’s from the Gaither Vocal Band to Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass. And he knew every hymn in the old Baptist Hymnal which stirred him to sing even in his late stages of sickness.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Lowell Dennis Barnes and Iola Holder Barnes, his aunts Nadine Holder and Ruth Roberts, brother-in-law Mark Browning, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is survived by his wife, Caroline Jeffers Barnes, their three children Peter Michael Barnes, Philip Dennis Barnes and wife, Kimberly Laine Barnes, and David Lowell Barnes, his sister Carol Browning and her children, Jennifer, Amy, and Matt and their families, and his grandchildren, Wendy, Olivia, Ransom, Tait, Kambry, James, Lowell, and Korben.

Services will be Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 11am at Lewisville Baptist Church, 125 Lewisville-Clemmons Rd, Lewisville, NC 27023 with his son, Rev. Philip Barnes, officiating. It will be followed by a brief graveside service. There will be a visitation at the church from 10:00 - 11:00 am prior to the service. The family would like to thank the faithful workers at Home Instead, Trellis Hospice, and Brookridge for their most excellent care in Mike’s final months. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you give a gift to his church, Lewisville Baptist Church in Lewisville, NC, or to the mission he supported, The Center for Global Ministries in Plano, TX.