Donald Stetson Barnes

Donald Stetson, “Don” Barnes, of Wayne, PA, passed into God’s kingdom on Tuesday Dec 5, 2017, at Seasons Hospice, Phoenixville, PA. He had a short, battle with metastatic melanoma. He was born June 28,1948, in White Plains, NY, the third son of the late George Van Vleck and Dorothy Jane Morrison Barnes. He graduated from Conestoga High School, where he excelled in academics, as well as, football, basketball and baseball, part of his life long love of sports. He was well known for his great sense of humor and the ability to light up a room.

Don started his college career at the University of South Carolina, where he played basketball for two years. He finished his degree at Villanova University. During this time, he also played semi pro-basketball for the Kentucky Coronels. He served his country as a river boat captain in the Vietnam War, a difficult period that he seldom spoke of. However, his love of boating and sailing started at a young age from boating with his father and brothers, on the Long Island sound.

Don was an accomplished sales person and spent three years at IBM, where he won several awards for his abilities. He continued in technology and computer sales for several years as he progressed into sales and upper management, with Nixdorf computers and Fireman’s Fund. He grew his passion into his own marine business, with his wife, Nancy, for 12 years. It was his dream to own a business and he did it in something he loved, boating. When the economy affected his business, he moved into a sales and management position with LoadRite Trailers. Don carries several friends forward from these business years, most notably, Ed Thomas, a 40 year friend.

Don’s love of sports also tennis and golf. As his children became involved with sports, he coached many boys and girl’s teams, in basketball, baseball and soccer. It was said, he never met a sport he didn’t love, and he influenced many young athletes to love their sports and many coaches to love to coach. His early days of playing started around 6 years old, on a baseball field, where he met Don Evans, a friendship that has endured to the end.

Don was a member of Wayne Presbyterian Church, the church he attended as a child. He was a Deacon, where he hoped to develop a program to benefit Veterans. As a Vet himself, he always had a caring nature towards Vets and recently visited the Veteran’s Hospital to offer his services.

When Don’s battle with cancer came to an end, he was surrounded by those that survived him and loved him deeply. His wife, Nancy Jane, of 30 years was at his side. He was also with his daughter, Alexandra Morrison, his son, Derek Steele, his soon to be son-in-law, Mike Hinkle, and Tess Kivlin, son’s girlfriend. He is forever grateful for the calls and visits of his mother-in-law, Ruth Furco, and his sister and brother-in-laws, Pastor Laurie and those two old friends, Ed and Don, who kept him encouraged, through this battle.

Don and his ashes will join his parents and his brothers, in St David’s Cemetery, at a later date.

Don’s Memorial service will be held at Wayne Presbyterian Church on Saturday Dec 16th. Memorial contributions can be made to the Deacon’s Fund at Wayne Presbyterian, to go to Veteran’s causes.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses of Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Seasons Hospice. They took such good care of him during this difficult time.

Rest in Peace, Sweet Don. “ I will share your joys and sorrow, till we see this journey through”. And till we meet again.