Dudley Barnes

Dudley Howell Barnes, 81, peacefully passed away in his home after a short illness on February 16, 2020. Dudley was born October 17, 1938 in Bowdon, Ga. to HA and Carolyn Barnes.

Dudley graduated from Campbell High School in Smyrna Ga, where he was very active playing all sports. He attended North Georgia Military Academy where he began his ROTC training before he transferred to Georgia State University in Atlanta from which he graduated in 1963. He was again involved in sports, Sigma Nu Fraternity and ROTC.

Upon college graduation Dudley spent a year in El Paso, Texas as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army training Missile Program. He then served a year in Korea before being assigned to Key West Military Base. During his year in Key West he applied and was accepted to Army Flight School in Fort Rucker, Alabama. He earned his wings in 1965. Since childhood his greatest wish was to become a pilot!

During his tour of duty in Key West Dudley met his wife to be, Sherry Mixson, whom he married at Ft. Rucker Military Base in July 1965. He was sent to Viet Nam in February of 1966 for a short tour before being reassigned to MacDill Air force Base in Tampa, Florida. Dudley was awarded many accolades and Air Medals during his years serving our great country. He was Honorably discharged in June 1967 and he and his family moved to Belle Glade, Florida.

Dudley became associated with family owned Mixson Funeral Home and attended Miami Dade Junior College where he graduated with both his Mortuary Science and his Funeral Directors License. During this time he applied to Eastern Airlines Flight School as flying was such a passion for him and he was accepted! Being part of the Eastern Airlines family was one of the greatest joys of his professional life After Eastern closed he joined the new Trump Shuttle and was Captain on the inaugural flight along with Mr. Trump which was a highlight for him! The Trump shuttle sold a few years later to US Airways from which Captain Barnes retired October 17, 1999.

In Belle Glade, Dudley was a member of the First Baptist Church, the Masonic Temple, Belle Glade Elks Club, Belle Glade Rotary Club, and served on several county Boards. Later in his life he joined the Shriners Temple in Orlando and served as secretary for the Tin Lizzies which he enjoyed very much.

In 1996, the Barnes family moved to Orlando to be near their children and grandchildren.

Dudley was preceded in death by his parents, HA and Carolyn Barnes, his sister Joan Camp, and sister Becky Barnes. He is succeeded by his wife, Sherry, his daughter Christa Grindstaff (Michael) of Orlando, son Cortney Barnes (Connie) of Cottontown, Tenn, daughter Nickie Whittaker (Lindsay) of Orlando, and daughter Candy McKnight (Dave) of Orlando. He is dearly loved by his grandchildren Cassidy Grindstaff Brown (Collins) Atlanta, Ga, Graham Grindstaff (Tiffany) Orlando, John Dudley, Ramsey and Presley Pantaleon, and Lily Whittaker, Orlando, Walker and Laura McKnight, Orlando, Tyler and Kim Barnes and Connie Barnes Watson of Tennessee, and great-grandchildren Lily and Forrest Brown and Leighton and Landon Grindstaff. His brother Mack Barnes (Mary Ann) of Longwood, Fl, and sister Katie Burr of Marietta, GA., nieces and nephews also survive Dudley.

Dudley and Sherry enjoyed a fun and exciting life together in Orlando surrounded by their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He will be missed very much!.