FRANKLIN — James Clifton “Cliff” Barnes, 87 years, 11 months, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family and friends.

Born in Gates County, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Earl and Nell Barnes. He was predeceased by his two brothers and their wives, Thomas Barnes (Elizabeth) and Vincent Barnes (Erma Lee), and his youngest brother, Robert Barnes.

Cliff was a graduate of Sunbury (North Carolina) High School and attended Elon College. He enlisted in the Air Force in the early 1950s, and served at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Cliff was employed by Union Camp (now International Paper) for 35 years, working first as a forester and later as the superintendent of Wood Residue Procurement.

In retirement, he was the president of Dina-Jo Inc., and he developed real estate properties and residential subdivisions in the area.

Cliff was dearly loved by his surviving family, Willis Holcombe Barnes, his wife of 64 years with whom he lived in Hunterdale. His daughters, Diane Barnes Otis (Jon) of New York City, New York; and Joan Barnes Patzke (David) of Acworth, Georgia, with his grandsons, Payne and Parker Patzke, are his legacy. He is also survived by a niece, Barbara Barnes Umphlett (Donnie), his brother’s daughter, and many nieces and nephews of his wife’s family.

His quality of life was extended by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, specifically, Dr. Andrew Zelenetz. The family is also deeply grateful for the dedication of his wonderful caregivers who supported him in his later years.

Cliff loved nature and the outdoors. He played the guitar and the banjo and truly enjoyed country music. An avid waterfowler enthusiast, he took pleasure in hunting, fishing and boating in the Tidewater area with his buddies. He relished a herring breakfast, skeet shooting and the companionship of fellow hunters in his favorite duck blind. He will be missed as the ‘Wild Goose’ by his many friends whom he mentored and shared a laugh.

He attended Harvest Christian Fellowship Church, and he was grateful for the support of its minister, Pastor Randall Wright.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be sent to Harvest Christian Church, 27007 Smith’s Ferry Road, Franklin, Virginia 23851.

The service honoring his life will be on Friday, June 10, at 2 p.m. in Wright Funeral Home, 206 W. Fourth Ave., Franklin, Virginia. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Courtland.

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Wright Funeral Home.

You are welcome to sign the online guest book at www.wrightfuneralhome.org.