Earl Barnes

Earl R Barnes
February 27, 1930 – November 5, 2026

Earl R Barnes passed away on November 5, 2026, at the age of 96. He was born on February 27, 1930, in Gillette, Wyoming.

Earl grew up in small town Gillette, where he played varsity basketball. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War and graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in geology.

In the mid-1950s, Earl moved to Salt Lake City, where he built a career in natural gas exploration. His professional accomplishments included discovering a major natural gas field in Wyoming that is still active and producing to this day.

Away from work, Earl was an avid billiards player. He twice won a citywide senior billiards tournament and continued playing several days a week with his good friends at the West Jordan Senior Center. He was also a regular at the Murray Heritage Center and developed many good friendships over the past 30 years.

Earl is survived by his children, Anthony Fred Barnes (Margaret), Thomas Virgel Barnes (Christy), and Sandra Lea Hunter; his grandchildren, Brandon Thomas Barnes, Thomas Anthony Barnes, Emily Drue Barnes-Moll, and Chandler James Kelley; and eight great-grandchildren.

No services are currently scheduled. Details of any future gathering will be shared with family and friends.