Dr. Richard "Doc" S. Barnett

DR. RICHARD S. "DOC" BARNETT

GRAND ISLAND, NE – Dr. Richard S. “Doc” Barnett, 91, formerly of Central City, NE, passed away Sunday, July 31st, 2016 at the Nebraska Veterans Home in Grand Island, Nebraska.

He was born February 26, 1925 in Broomfield, Colorado, the son of Grayson and Gertrude (Dawkins) Barnett.

He had served in the United States Army Air Force in World War II from June 11, 1943 to October 11, 1945 where he was a turret gunner on a B-17. He flew 33 missions over Germany. After his discharge he worked for the US Postal Service.

On July 12, 1945 he married Wilma Dyke in Olathe, Kansas, with this Union one daughter and three sons were born, Richard Jr., Gary, Julie and Michael.

After 5 years at the USPS, he decided to attend the University of Missouri and graduated from Veterinary School of Medicine at the age of 33. He opened his practice in Central City in 1958 and retired from Veterinary Services in 1985. After retirement, he went on to work for the USDA Meat Inspection Division serving as an Inspector In Charge (IIC) in various plants in Nebraska until 1987. In Arkansas in 1988 to 1990 and in Washington D.C. from 1990 to 1992 until retiring from Government Services in April of 1992.

On May 25, 1985, Doc married Lucille “Mae” Spielman in Grand Island, Nebraska. She preceded him in death in 2007.

Richard was also a member of the Christian Church of Central City, NE.

He will be forever remembered by his daughter Julie (Bill) Raile of Grand Island, NE; three sons, Richard S. Barnett Jr., of Lincoln, NE; Gary (Kay) Barnett of Iowa Park, TX and Michael Barnett of Lincoln, NE; two step-daughters, Lynn and Kris, both of Omaha, NE; a sister, Dorothy Darr of Perryburg, OH; a brother, Bill Barnett of Butler, MO; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild on the way.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11:00am, Thursday, August 4, 2016 in Lincoln Cemetery in Lebo, Kansas. Family will receive friends an hour before service at the Jones VanArsdale Funeral in Lebo. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.