Leroy P Barnes

Leroy Percy Barnes Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, nephew and uncle went home to be with the Lord Thursday, March 24, 2011 at St. Marys of Michigan. Age 67 years. He was born August 30, 1943 in Longwood, Mississippi to Leroy and Eartha Barnes. He was the oldest child of five siblings. Leroy spent most of his younger years living with his grandparents, Richard and Carrie Barnes.
After graduating from Coleman High School in 1963, he enlisted in the United States Air Force September 16, 1963-1969 as a Security Police which required a secret clearance. Responsibilities included guarding B-52 bombers and atomic weapon storage sites. He was a Vietnam Veteran. Upon leaving the USAF he eventually came to Saginaw where he met his spouse, Vivian (Flowers) Hodge. Leroy graduated from Delta College with a Degree in Law Enforcement. From 1977-1987 he completed all but three classes to obtain a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Saginaw Valley State University.
Under the leadership of Police Chief Gary Loster, Leroy worked for Buena Vista Charter Township Police Department from 1970-1978 as a Patrolman, Detective, Sgt. of Road Control and Sgt. of the Crime Prevention Unit. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police - Saginaw Chapter. He received many certificates for Public Safety Training and several trophies for Outstanding Marksmanship. He was a certified scuba diver and an Underwater Specialist.
In 1978, he became an employee of General Motors Corporation Central Foundry Division Plant Security. In 1987, Leroy was honored by a commemorative luncheon at Saginaw Malleable Iron for ending a 45 minute hostage siege of two general supervisors. Leroy convinced the 18 year seniority production worker into releasing the hostages and surrendering his gun. Leroy later transferred to Saginaw Steering Gear GMC where he became Sgt. Of Plant Security and Union Representative for the United Plant Guard Workers of America (UPGWA).
Now Delphi Corporation (formerly GMC), Leroy after considerable contemplation gave up security after having been contracted out (Pinkerton) and became a computerized machine operator and a member of UAW Local 699. During this time, he became lifelong friends with those he worked directly with he spent breaks playing bones (dominoes) daily, traveled to football games, participated in weekly group potlucks at work.
Leroy took a lot of pride in wearing t-shirts of Negro League of Baseball Players because three of his uncles played in the league; with one inducted in the leagues Hall of Fame, also an uncle who played for the Cardinals Baseball Team. His father had a softball field named after him for his many years of service coaching little league softball in Greenville, MS. Leroy even coached a little league team in Saginaw.
Leroy leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 36 years, Vivian; three children, Charles I, Jamila, Nathifa; five grandchildren, Charles II, Akayla, Amari, Imoni, RJ (Rahmaan); goddaugter, Chrystal Price; two sisters, Mary Bryant, Ora Barnes; brother-in-law, William Johnson; sister-in-law, Antoinette (Randolph) Gilbert; special aunt, Dorothy (Jerry) Jones; uncles, Tom Barnes, Frank (Gladys) Barnes; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Leroy P. Sr. and Eartha Barnes ; two sisters, Erma Sutton and Dorothy Johnson.
LIVE WEBCAST INFORMATION
Please click on LIVE WEBCAST to enter.
Funeral Service will start at 11:30am on Saturday, April 2, 2011
User: leroy
password: barnes