Henry Nigel Barnes of Rutland, UK was born in Blackburn, UK on February 1, 1961, and passed away on September 7, 2022, cause of death was cancer. He was the only child born to Barbara Rose Barnes and Colonel Mervin Barnes. Colonel Barnes was a US citizen who served in the US Air Force and met his beloved wife when he was stationed in the UK during World War II. Colonel Barnes was also the City Manager in Clifton Forge, Virginia, USA in the 1970’s, and passed away in 1978. Barbara was a loving and devoted mother. Henry adored his Mom and moved back to the UK in 2004 to be with her in her declining years, she passed away in 2010.
Henry attended Clifton Forge High School and graduated in 1979. He then studied at the University of Radford for several years before moving to Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA. In 1992, Henry moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, and helped raise T.J. Ferrill, who is now Head of Creative Spaces at the University of Utah. Henry lived in Utah for several years before moving back to the UK to be with his Mom.
Henry was extremely bright and insightful. He thoroughly enjoyed talking to people. Henry worked over the years as the very best salesman that ever walked the face of the Earth. There was almost nothing that Henry didn’t sell at some point in his life. He sold satellite dishes, vacuum cleaners, vinyl siding, windows, home improvements, building materials, swimming pools, hot tubs, pool tables, TV’s, appliances, and cellular phones, just to name a few of the items Henry sold.
Henry never met a stranger. He was extremely friendly and would talk to anyone he ever met, learn about their background and experiences, and would invariably find something or somewhere or someone they had in common. He could relate to anyone.
Henry loved to travel and visited many, many places in the United States, and in Europe. If you were going to visit almost anywhere in the USA or in Europe, Henry could provide an interesting itinerary of places to see when you got there. Henry was also naturally athletic and enjoyed playing golf.
Henry always encouraged people to live by these three Rules of Life:
1) Everything is negotiable.
2) You never know until you ask.
3) Even when you know…you never know.
When Henry was in high school, he was a cool guy and got the nickname, “Bad News Barnes”, and became known as “News” to his friends in high school and at university. We will all miss News.
Henry is survived by an extended family, his cousins in Liverpool, UK. He also leaves behind the love of his life, Natasha Gayle. Henry and Natasha traveled extensively in Europe, he loved her dearly, and he savored every moment he spent with Natasha. Henry’s deep and loving relationship with Natasha was God’s gift to Henry.
Henry has requested a green burial.
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