Shannon Barnes

(From Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home)

Shannon James Barnes, age 52, of Aurora, Missouri, passed away at 1:34 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He was born June 20, 1971, in Aurora, the son of Robert James Barnes and Becky Jane (Lester) Matthews.

Shannon was a 1989 graduate of Cassville High School in Cassville, Missouri, and was the owner/operator of Barnes Trucking. Shannon knew all things trucks from top to bottom. He could take apart and put together in a single night and work the next morning. He achieved his own “outlaw” status with pride hauling his legendary loads. In Shannon’s words “you gotta cheat to eat.”

On October 18, 1991, he married Mitzie Dawn Herndon, in Aurora, Missouri.

Shannon is survived by his wife of 32 years, Mitzie; the very proud dad of three daughters, Kallie Dawn Barnes of Eagle Rock, Missouri, Kacie Jaymes Barnes and Janie Belle Barnes both of Aurora, Missouri; his mother and stepfather, Becky and Ted Matthews of Cassville, Missouri; his father, Robert Barnes of Aurora, Missouri; one brother, Brendon Barnes of Neosho, Missouri; one half-sister, Mandy Barnes of Aurora, Missouri; his mother-in-law, Belinda Herndon, of Billings, Missouri and several nieces and nephews.

Shannon was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Doris, and Addie Lester; his paternal grandparents, J. L., and Roberta Barnes; his cousin, Mike Barnes, and his father-in-law, Harold “Weener” Herndon.

Since 1995, Shannon was given the “girl dad” title, that came again in 2000 and completed in 2005. He joked about being outnumbered at home, except for a boy dog in the yard. He taught his girls how to protect themselves when he couldn’t be there, how to drive fast and take pride in everything they set out to do. He loved all things family and going out to eat for all of our birthdays.

He was a true Mopar enthusiast from before he was even driving his own. This enthusiasm led him and his family to many tracks and shows near and far.

A graveside service under the direction of Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at the Aurora Baptist Temple.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made payable to the Shannon Barnes Memorial at First Independent Bank in Aurora and Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri.