Paul Lee Barnes

MALTA - Paul Lee Barnes, 58, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, at his home in Malta.

Paul was born January 22, 1958, in Burley, Idaho, to Paul Dean and Evelyn Althea Wrigley Barnes. He attended school in Malta, but additionally received much of his education through the school of hard knocks. He married Micheal Acaiturri, August 8, 1987, in Declo, Idaho.

He was raised farming, and ranching with his Dad. That hard-work ethic followed him through his adult years working in the oilfields as a roughneck; working in the roofing and construction industry; and working as a ranch hand, as well as other work he performed for U.S. Geothermal and the Burley Livestock Auction. Paul’s work in the oilfields required him to move around a lot, but he was eventually able to come back to Malta, the place he truly loved.

Paul was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He never met a stranger and talked to everyone freely. He enjoyed golf, and especially loved to rope and be around horses. Throughout his life he did anything he could with horses. In his younger years, he participated in chariot and Pony Express races.

He loved and was dearly loved by his family. His passing is the farewell to the cornerstone of our family. We lost a husband, father, grandfather and best friend. His infectious laugh and storytelling will forever make us smile.

He is survived by his loving wife, Micheal; his children, Tracy (Andre) Digue of Marysville, Wash., Ashley (Nelson) Manning of Burley, Kaitlin Barnes of Malta, and Paul “Riley” Barnes of Malta; his mother, Evelyn A. Barnes of Burley; sisters, Ronda Doman of Burley, and Trina Wilson of St. Anthony; sister-in-law, Debi Barnes of Burley; and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Dean Barnes; his brother, DelRay Barnes; nephew, Jared Barnes; and grandparents, Max and Rosetta Barnes and Herman and Truth Wrigley.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 24, at the Malta LDS Church, 280 N. 1st St. W., in Malta, with Bishop Richard Hall officiating. Burial will follow in the Standrod Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, September 23, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 1 until 1:45 p.m. Saturday preceding the service at the church.