Dr. Lester “Ford” Barnes II, 80, of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away on Sunday,
February 4, 2024. He was born on August 18, 1943 in Manhattan, Kansas to
Lester Kenneth and Virginia Lee (Grubb) Barnes. He was a Board Certified
Internist, Hematologist, Oncologist and Palliative Care Physician. He was an Air
Force veteran of the Vietnam War, and a member of First Presbyterian Church.
Dr. Barnes was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife of 56 years, Helen
Barnes.
He is survived by his daughter, Tracy Barnes Dunn and her husband, Scott Bailey
of Ashville, NC; a son, Todd Barnes and his wife Amy of Mount Crested Butte, CO;
a sister, Susan Steen, and her husband Ernie of Parkville, MO; three
grandchildren, Emma Rose Barnes, Jack Cardin Barnes and William Barnes Dunn.
A memorial service will be held at the U.S. National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fort Smith Boy’s and Girl’s Club,
6015 Boys Club Lane Fort Smith, AR 72903. Online donations may be made at
fsbgc.org or to the River Valley Regional Food Bank, 1617 Zero St. Fort Smith, AR
72901.
Cremation was under the direction of Ocker-Putman Funeral Home of Fort Smith,
Arkansas.