Laurel L. “Barney” Barnett, 76, of Oskaloosa, KS, passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, MO. He was born March 7, 1950 in Lawrence, KS, the son of Glenn Elwood and Helen Marguerite Killinger Barnett. He was a 1968 graduate of Perry Rural High School. He was a Proud U.S. Army Veteran of the Viet Nam war, serving from 1970 to 1971.
“Barney” worked many different jobs in his life including working for the Hamm Company, Goodyear, Hallmark and Kent Brown R.V. Center in Topeka. His lifelong career was as an Auctioneer. He formerly operated the Lawrence Livestock Sale Barn in Lawrence, KS and L.L. Barnett Auction Service. He worked for Auto Auctions in Topeka, Kansas City, MO and St. Joseph, MO. before retiring in 2012. He attended KSU extension classes to be certified in A.I. breeding services. He was a Cowboy at heart and raised registered quarter horses of the best breeding, at least in his idea. A true horseman, he was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association.
He married Deborah “Debbie” Ann Sturgis on February 14, 1999 at Harrison, AR, She survives at the home. He is also survived by two daughters, Stephanie (Mark) Hunt, Topeka, Laura Hope Barnett, Winchester, KS, two sons, Barney Joe (Brooke) Barnett, Willie Barnett, both of Topeka, two stepdaughters, Angela (Jim) Smith, Tonganoxie, Carilyn (Bryan) Best, Perry, one sister, Linda (Dan) Foltz, Perry, two brothers, Logan (Janet) Barnett, Perry, Gus (Cathy) Barnett, Oskaloosa, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and a large extended family and list of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Ava E. Abel and Lucy L. Doxon and a brother, Worron “Harlan” Barnett.
Funeral Service will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, April 25 at Barnett Family Funeral Home, Oskaloosa. Visitation will be 12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM before Service at the Funeral Home. Burial will be at Buster Cemetery, rural Perry. Memorials suggested to the Wamego High School Kansas Honor Flight program. He was honored to be a part of the Honor Flight in 2024. barnettfamilyfh.com
