Leroy Barnes

Mr. Leroy Barnes (a.k.a. Goose, Roy, or Big Boy) passed away Friday, February 20, 2026, at home in Midland, Michigan. Age 71 years. Leroy was born on December 14, 1954, in Elaine, Arkansas, to Johnny Frank and Dossie B. Barnes.

Leroy attended school in Elaine, Arkansas, until his father passed away in 1971. His mother moved to Helena, Arkansas, where he attended Central High School in 1972/1973.

Leroy had seen a young girl playing in the yard with her five siblings when walking down the street to the Helena Fair with his father. He told his father, “Dad, that’s the girl I’m going to marry”. Many years later, he and his mom moved across the street from that same little girl who became the love of his life. He married Earnestine Pendleton in 1976 and took her home to Saginaw, Michigan. To that union, two sons were born. Leroy retired from Saginaw Chevrolet Manufacturing (General Motors) after 25 years.

Leroy loved fishing, bowling, hunting, playing dominoes, motorcycling (Inn Keepers Motorcycle Club), Tae Kwon Do (rank 3rd Dan Black Belt - Chang Moo Kwan), and going to the casino. He loved his sons and especially his grandchildren. He will be deeply missed.

Leroy leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Earnestine Barnes; two sons, Leroy Barnes Jr. and Justin (Aerial Fields) Barnes; two grandchildren, Naomi Janae and Leroy Barnes III; four sisters, T’Ella (Earl) Shannon, Johnnie Mae (Tommy) Johnson, Shirley Bonds, and Sandra Barnes. His mother-in-law, Earline Somlar; five sisters-n-law, Renee Barnes, Victoria (Floyd) Smith, Janice (Stephen) Black, Carolyn (Carl) Davis, and Delois Diane Somlar; two brothers-in-law, Ralph Terry Somlar and Pervis Pendleton; nieces and nephews Kelvin Spears, Earl (Tamieka) Shannon, Jacklun Shannon, Sharon (Daniel) Effinger, Everett Johnson, T’Ella Johnson, Arnell Jerry Somlar, DeQuavis Montel Wilson, Lamont Jones, Lashawn (James) Vaughn, Terry Jamaal Somlar, Terrell Jermaine Somlar, David (Gypsy) Jones Jr, Deja Jones, Carl Davis, Jr, Jalen Davis, Ryan Smith, Mallory Smith, Megan (Chris) Robinson, Yasheka Somlar, Shavon Debro and Markeith Somlar and a host of cousins, great nieces and great nephews, and many other relatives. Special friends Annie Jones Gray (cousin Dale), David Jones Sr., Gregory Patterson, Jackie Otis (cousin), Jessie Tucker, and best friend, Lawrence (Toby) Hood.

Leroy was preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie Frank and Dossie B. Barnes; brothers, Johnnie Frank Barnes Jr. and James Fleming; father-in-law, Arnell Somlar Sr.; brother-in-law, Arnell Somlar Jr,; grandparents, Abram and Mary Otis, Johnnie Barnes and Minnie Perkins; niece, Michelle Barnes; nephew, Tommy Wilson Johnson Jr; four aunts, Irene Jones, Ella Mae Randle, Leanna Early, and Henrietta Jones (Osceola, Arkansas); eight uncles, Leroy Page, Wiley Barnes, J.B. Otis, J.D. Otis, A.B. Otis, Charlie Otis, Lonny Cayton, and Willie Houston.