Perry Delano Barnes Jr.

A memorial service to honor Perry’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, August 26th at First Methodist Church in Morehead City, officiated by Rev. Powell Osteen. A reception receiving friends will take place following the service at the church. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later time.

Perry Delano Barnes, Jr., affectionately known as Pete, led a life characterized by boundless passion, unwavering commitment, and an ever-present zest for living. Born on March 22, 1943, in Wilson, North Carolina, to Perry Delano Barnes, Sr. and Beulah Phillips Barnes, Pete’s childhood was richly woven with the threads of baseball, music, and family.

From an early age, Pete forged a deep and lasting bond with his father, a relationship anchored in their shared love for baseball and music. This connection profoundly influenced Pete's character and work ethic, driving him to pursue his education at East Carolina University (ECU), where he became a celebrated left-handed pitcher. At ECU, Pete not only excelled on the baseball field, setting a record for the most consecutive wins by a starting pitcher, but he also embraced brotherhood through his fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha, cultivating friendships that endured a lifetime.

Pete’s professional life mirrored the dedication he displayed in academics and athletics. After earning a degree in Health and Physical Education with a minor in Geography, followed by a Master’s in Education, Pete devoted his career to nurturing young minds. His journey took him from teaching and coaching at various schools to a significant role at Lenoir Community College (LCC) in Kinston, NC. At LCC, Pete was pivotal in expanding the college’s athletics, including building the baseball program. He was always an athlete at heart and enjoyed not only coaching baseball but also coaching basketball and teaching golf and tennis. His commitment to athletics and education was recognized when he was twice named Coach of the Year by the National Junior College Athletic Association, and his leadership was instrumental in developing one of the state's top Junior College baseball programs.

Pete's personal life was deeply enriched by his marriage to Judy in June 1968. Together, they created a loving home in Kinston, NC, raising their three daughters, Tracey, Ashley, and Michele. Pete and Judy's home was a haven of encouragement, filled with the joys of music and dance. The couple's shared passion for shag dancing led them to teach at LCC and eventually earned them induction into the Atlantic Beach Shaggers Hall of Fame in 2000.

Upon retiring in 2007, Pete and Judy moved to Atlantic Beach, NC, drawn by their love for the coastal rhythms and community spirit. Their investment in Memories Beach Club was a natural extension of their passion for dance and music. Retirement also provided Pete with opportunities to travel with Judy, exploring new horizons and savoring life’s adventures, and when not seeing the world, he cherished his time with his children and grandchildren. Throughout his life, Pete remained a humble soul who embraced every moment with enthusiasm and gratitude.

Pete’s enduring legacy was marked by recognition in the Fike Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004 for his contributions to baseball and in East Carolina’s Educators Hall of Fame in 2024 for his impactful dedication to student growth and development.

Pete Barnes passed away peacefully on August 24, 2024, leaving behind a legacy steeped in love, dedication, and community spirit. His life stands as a profound testament to the impact of pursuing one's passions with heart and determination.

Pete is lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years, Judy; daughters and their husbands, Tracey and Mitchell Winfree, Ashley and Hugh Renwick, and Michele and Jeff Lyons; cherished grandsons, Taylor, Perry, Gray Winfree, Brody, and Sawyer Lyons; sister Judy Boone and her husband, Tommy Boone; his sisters-in-law and their husbands; nieces, nephews, and their children.

  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of  Pete at http://fundraising.stjude.org/goto/PerryBarnes or the Crystal Coast Hospice House at 100 Big Rock Weigh, Newport, N.C. 28570.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.