Lester Joe Barnes was the only child of Adier (often known as Ada) Long and James Riley Barnes. His mother died when he was only fifteen months old, so he had no memory of her. Soon after Adier's death, James took Lester out of the area and remarried to Elizabeth Hertel. They never had any other children, and Elizabeth was the only mother Lester ever knew.

Lester's mother's death certificate listed her as divorced, but her obituary indicated the couple was still married. There was obviously a rift and, accordingly, Adier's headstone reads "Adier, daughter of W.J. and C.L. Long" and doesn't show her married name of Barnes. Apparently Lester never had the chance to know his mother's family, and it wasn't until his great-grandfather's death in 1943 (Elisha B. Long), that he was located to be the co-heir with Alma (Long) Breshears. When Elisha died, he had outlived three wives (the Ethredge sisters and Fannie Weaver), as well as all three of his own children. There had only ever been two grandchildren, the sisters Alma and Adier. Since Adier (his mother) had also died, Lester and his Aunt Alma split the estate (per Elisha's probate).


Death Notice from The Spokesman-Review, Thursday, Apr. 2, 1987, Spokane, WA, page C4:

BARNES, Lester J. --- Passed away April 1, 1987 in Spokane. Survived by his wife, Geri C. Barnes, at the home; daughter, Sherrie Crane, Spokane, son, Gary Barnes, Medical Lake, WA. 60 year member of I. B. E. W. Union, life member Elks Lodge, Charter member of Exchange Club, Manito Country Club, Spokane City Club, Masonic Lodge, and The Shriners. HENNESSEY SMITH FUNERAL HOME, N2203 DIVISION ST.

Funeral Notice from The Spokesman-Review, Thursday, Apr. 2, 1987, page C4:

BARNES, Lester J. --- Passed away April 1, 1987 in Spokane. Survived by his wife, Geri C. Barnes, at the home; daughter, Sherrie Crane, Spokane, son, Gary Barnes, Medical Lake, WA. 60 year member of I. B. E. W. Union, life member Elks Lodge, Charter member of Exchange Club, Manito Country club, Spokane City Club, Masonic Lodge and The Shriners. Funeral Service, Saturday, April 4, 1987 at 1 p.m. ROSE CHAPEL, HENNESSEY-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, N2203 DIVISION ST. Rose Croix Funeral Team, officiating. Private interment. Memorials may be made to Shrine Hospital for Crippled Children or Exchange Club Handicapped Program.

Obituary from The Spokesman-Review, Friday, Apr. 3, 1987, page 12:

Lester J. Barnes
Lester J. Barnes, former owner of Maxwell's Inc., died Wednesday at Lilac City Convalescent Center. He was 79.
Service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home with the Shrine's Rose Croix participating.
Private burial service is planned.
Born in Elgin, Ore., he lived in southeastern Washington before coming to Spokane when he was 13. He graduated from North Central HIgh School in 1926.
After high school, he was a clerk for Washington Water Power Co. and in 1939 joined Maxwell & Franks, forerunner of Maxwell's Inc. electrical contracting firm. He became a partner in the firm in 1945 and sole owner in 1964.
Among prominent outdoor lighting installations by his company were those illuminating the Spokane County Courthouse, Jesuit House of Gonzaga University and Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Cathedral, which won first place in an applied lighting contest sponsored by the Illuminating Engineers of Spokane in 1965.
Mr. Barnes was a longtime member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, a life member of Spokane Elks Lodge and a charter member of the Exchange Club.
He also was a member of Manito Golf and Country Club, the Spokane Club, Masonic Lodge and El Katif Shrine.
Survivors include his wife, Geri C. (Lewis) Barnes; one daughter, Sherrie Crane of Spokane; and one son, Gary Barnes of Medical Lake.
The family suggests memorials to Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children or the Exchange Club Handicapped Program.