John (J.T.) Barnhardt, Sr.

Obituary: John Thomas (JT) Ray Barnhardt, Sr. passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2014 after a three year battle with cancer. He was born May 29, 1926 in Rowan County to the late John Frank and Gertie Shore Barnhardt. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters; Catherine Upright, Margaret Carolyn Barnhardt and Geraldine Price. He attended China Grove High School. He served from 1943-1947 in the US Navy as a gunner first class on the USS Currier. He graduated from Rowan Tech (RCCC) after returning from WW II. He was an electrician and retired as a supervisor from Fiber (Celanese) in Salisbury in 1986. He was a member of the VFW Post #3006 in Salisbury. JT loved to play golf, cheer for the NY Yankees, the Panthers and UNC Tarheels. He was a lifetime member of First United Methodist Church in China Grove. Those left to cherish his memories are his wife of 64 years, Mary Frances Correll Barnhardt, son, John Thomas "Tommy" Ray Barnhardt, Jr. of Matthews, daughter, Telisa Barnhardt of the home, daughter, Jomara Dunn (Mike) of Aberdeen, grandsons; Pat Dunn of Aberdeen, Matt Dunn (Jenny) of Pine Bluff, great-grand-daughter, Laney Dunn of Pine Bluff, a sister, Joyce Roscoe of San Diego, CA. and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014 at Whitley's Funeral Home in Kannapolis. A celebration of Life service will follow at 1:30 PM in Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel officiated by Rev. George Yates. Burial will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park in China Grove with military rites by the US Navy and the Rowan Honor Guard. The family would like to give a special thank you for the excellent care given by Nurse Sherri Cook and Jimmie Porter of Hospice of Rowan. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First United Methodist Church, 110 W. Church Street, China Grove, NC 28023 or Hospice of Rowan, 720 Grove St., Salisbury, 28144. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com
Visitation: 11:00-1:00 P.M. Tuesday January 28, 2014 Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 1:30 P.M. Tuesday January 28, 2014 Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel

Interment: Westlawn Memorial Park