RAPID CITY- World War II Veteran Glenn Arthur Barnes, age 96, passed away July 14th, 2021.

He was born in 1925 on the family farm 5 miles south of Mission SD to Arthur and Iva (Bucklew) Barnes.

His father raised corn, oats, rye and wheat during the depression and the family temporarily migrated to Washington State as itinerant workers to supplement their income and save the farm, returning to SD during Glenn's 8th grade year.

The youngest of 9 children, Glenn was the only one to complete high school where he excelled in sports.  At 17 he enlisted in the US Naval Air Corp.  He believed it was his duty and a privilege to have served.

Glenn was an Aviation Radioman 2c in the Pacific Theater, stationed in the Mariana Islands and Okinawa.  His duties included radioman, radar operator and gunner.  Commendations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with Gold Star, Air Medal and Presidential Unit Citation. The crew shot down two Japanese planes, sank numerous ships, destroyed Japanese radar stations on the Islands and bombed the Standard Oil Refinery in Shanghai, China.  He was discharged in July 1946.

He continued his education at the University of South Dakota/Springfield (formerly Southern State College), where he played varsity football and was co-captain (1947-1948), basketball and track.  It was there that he met and married Joyce Halsey of Springfield in August of 1948.  He graduated with his Master's Degree in education in 1957.

Glenn returned home to Mission, SD, and worked exclusively for Todd County School District as a teacher, coach, principal, assistant superintendent, and finally superintendent until retirement in 1987, a career spanning 38 years.  Among his accomplishments are Chairman of the South Dakota Association of Federally Impacted School Districts, President of the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools, recipient of the Outstanding Service Award-School Administrator of South Dakota, a lifetime member of the South Dakota Education Association, presenter at the NSBA convention, San Francisco, CA, recipient of the Superintendent of the Year for the South Dakota Superintendents Association and awarded the Distinguished Service Award from South Dakota Superintendents Association (this was over 10 years after retirement and meant a lot to him that he was remembered in this way).  Under his leadership, he constructed multi-million-dollar projects to include the junior/senior high school, elementary school, and middle school, consolidated the Rosebud Boarding School with the Todd County School District which marked the final step of integration of all federal and public schools in the county, created the vocational education program, established a community relations program, and integrated Native American studies across the curriculum.

Upon retirement, Glenn and Joyce moved to Springfield where he was involved in the Highway 37 Association which resulted in the construction of a bridge across the Missouri River from Running Water, SD to Niobrara NE, which is now known as Chief Standing Bear Bridge.  He was one of the first three to be inducted into the Pointer Hall of Fame in Springfield and was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award at the 2000 Todd County School District Reunion.  Glenn and Joyce traveled throughout the United States and spent two months or more every winter at Port Aransas Texas.  They enjoyed all the friends and family at Springfield and the times they spent together golfing, traveling, and enjoying life.  They moved to Rapid City, SD during Joyce's battle with cancer to ensure she received the best treatment available.  He was an amazing caregiver to Joyce, so attentive and caring.  Joyce passed away in 2005 at the age of 76.  Glenn spent the following years enjoying family, golfing, keeping up on current events and politics including learning to use the computer for up-to-date reports.  He enjoyed watching any kind of sports, but mostly the Minnesota Vikings and New York Yankees.  His memory of history and sports was amazing.  You could throw out the name of any athlete and he was able to tell you where they were from, the college they attended, who they played for and much more.

He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, his son Dan, great-granddaughter Kaliyah, parents, siblings and countless relatives and friends.

He is survived by his daughters: Gayle (Larry) Motsick and Julie Geary of Rapid City; Cathy (Bruce) Crowley of Estes Park, CO and Green Valley, AZ; grandchildren include: Lisa Livermont (Chad) Uhre, Jeremy Livermont, Tyler Motsick, all of Rapid City; Tari Motsick (Ron) Mason of Perry, IA; Victoria Geary of Euless, TX and Brianna Geary of Newnan, GA; great-grandchildren include: Taylor Uhre, Cole Uhre, Ava Uhre, Devin Livermont, Jared Motsick, Jayse Motsick, all of Rapid City; and Madison Mason and Rob Mason of Perry; IA.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the charity of your choice.  A private family graveside service will be held at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Cards may be sent to Gayle Motsick and family: 6925 W Hwy 44, Rapid City SD  57702.