James R. "Rick" Barnes

James R. “Rick” Barnes, 76, of Chillicothe, Ohio passed away unexpectedly February 20, 2025.

     He was born October 25th, 1948 to the late James C. and Patricia A. (Sparks) Barnes.  On May 28th, 1982 he married, the love of his life, Kathi Fay Barnes who survives.

     Also surviving are his brothers, Brian N. Barnes, of Fort Myers, FL and Barry E. Barnes, Of Chillicothe; daughter, Michelle Lynn (Kelley) Kerns, of St. Joseph, MI; grandsons, Zachery (Kelli) Kerns, Kasen and Brennen Kerns; great grandsons, Emmitt and Henry.  He was predeceased by sisters, Suanne Merriman and Cindy Jo Barnes.

     Rick graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1966.  After high school he attended Ohio University, where he studied Philosophy.  He graduated from Southern Ohio College with a degree in Audio/Video Production and while there, he earned a Blue Chip Cable Access Award in 1987 for a public awareness documentary, “The Delta Queen.”  He worked for the Council of Southern Mountains in Berea, KY, and for the L.A. Free Clinic in California.  Rick was a drug counselor for Scioto Paint Valley Mental Health Center.

     Rick began a teaching career at Southern Ohio College in Cincinnati in 1989.  After college he was a freelance audio engineer.  He worked for all major television networks and cable networks.  In 1999 he received a Peabody Award for mixing sound for “ESPN SportsCentury.”

     Rick began teaching at Ohio University-Chillicothe in 2004.  He was an instructor, MDIA/Director of the IRIS Center.  He retired from Ohio-University-Chillicothe in 2012.

     Rick wrote the song “It All Comes Down to You” for the United Way Campaign in 2010.  He was fundamental in organizing The Foothill Folk Society.  He was a singer/songwriter (he co-wrote the Prue Prairie League song “Amie”).  He performed solo, and was a member of so many bands through the years:  Waldren Hill, Sin City, Two Hours Notice, Jump Street, Della Street, Goodbye Rose, and most recently Joseph, Barnes, Barnes and Thacker.

     Rick’s passion was writing, and he spent much of his time doing just that.  He authored and published two novels, Sailing Home and The Blue Rose, a book of essays, In Other Words, and two books of poetry, Hibernation and Imposters.

     Rick will be remembered as a writer, teacher, mentor,  and friend.

     A Celebration of Life will be held 4 p.m. Saturday, March 22nd, 2025 at the Elks #52, 42 W. 2nd St., Chillicothe, Ohio.  Arrangements are under the direction of the WARE FUNERAL HOME.

     You may sign his online register at www.warefh.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James R. "Rick" Barnes, please visit our floral store.