Lyle Joseph Barnes

Hurricane, Utah – Lyle Joseph Barnes, beloved husband, father, grandfather, attorney, teacher, author, and missionary, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2026, in Hurricane, Utah, following a lingering illness. He was 89 years old, just seven months shy of his 90th birthday.

Lyle was born on December 11, 1936, in Lehi, Utah, to Floyd Joseph Barnes and LaFerne Mary Gordon Barnes. He was raised in Lehi and graduated from Lehi High School. When Lyle was just 13 years old, his father passed away, leaving him to help support his family at a young age. The responsibility he accepted during those formative years shaped the strong work ethic, determination, and sense of duty that defined the rest of his life.

At age 17, Lyle joined the Utah National Guard and later served during the Berlin Crisis of 1961. He also answered a call to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the East Central States Mission, serving in Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia. His love for missionary work would remain one of the great passions of his life.

On June 23, 1960, Lyle married Norma Blake. Together they welcomed five children. Though their marriage later ended in divorce, Lyle remained grateful for Norma's devotion as a mother and for the support she provided during their years together.

Lyle pursued higher education with remarkable determination. After attending Brigham Young University, he earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Utah. He taught history and political science at Weber High School and Roy High School before earning a master's degree in History from Utah State University. In 1971, he graduated from the University of Utah College of Law and was admitted to the Utah State Bar.

On October 15, 1980, Lyle married Jean Erickson Shaw. Together they blended their families and later welcomed one additional child. Their marriage of 45 years was marked by love, faith, companionship, and unwavering devotion. They made their home in Kaysville and Layton before spending their final decade together in Hurricane, Utah.

Lyle enjoyed a distinguished legal career. In 1981, he founded the Utah Debtors' Legal Relief Clinic, focusing on bankruptcy law. By 1986, he had become one of Utah's most respected bankruptcy attorneys. One of the greatest joys of his professional life came when two of his sons joined him in the practice of law, allowing him the rare privilege of working alongside them as colleagues and fellow attorneys.

Blessed with an exceptional tenor voice, Lyle was a member of The Noteables, an acclaimed eight-member choral group that performed throughout northern Utah. Among their memorable performances was an appearance at the Osmond family Christmas party in 1976. Music remained a lifelong source of joy for him.

Lyle was also a gifted researcher and writer. He authored Gone With the Railroad, a historical novel about the early settlers of Ogden and the surrounding area. He also co-authored Ogden's Notorious Two-Bit Street with his wife, Jean, building upon research that began with his master's thesis at Utah State University.

Above all, Lyle loved his family and his faith. He served a total of three missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After his youthful missionary service in the East Central States Mission, he and Jean served for twelve years at the Conference Center on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, welcoming and teaching visitors from around the world. Determined to better serve Spanish-speaking guests, Lyle taught himself Spanish in his seventies and delighted in sharing the gospel and Church history with those he met. Later, when he was already in his eighties, they faithfully served a two-year proselyting mission in the Utah St. George Mission. Even in his final years, his desire to serve continued as he devoted countless hours to family history indexing, preserving more than 20,000 names for future generations.

Lyle found happiness in simple pleasures and lasting friendships. He especially cherished his friendship with Leonard Davis, Norma's second husband. The two men spent many enjoyable hours hunting, fishing, and sharing life together, demonstrating the grace and goodwill that characterized Lyle's relationships.

To those who knew him best, one of Lyle's defining characteristics may well have been his love of Westerns, especially those starring John Wayne. He admired the courage, integrity, and determination portrayed in those films—qualities he sought to live himself.

Lyle is survived by his beloved wife, Jean Barnes; his sister, Irene Nemelka; his brother, Alva Barnes; his children and stepchildren, Carolyn Inagaki-Huffine, Eric Barnes, Ryan Barnes, Jason Barnes, Julie Martini, Brian Shaw, Andrea Nelson, and Tiffany Watts; along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family members whom he loved dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and LaFerne Barnes; his brother, Gordon Barnes; and his son, Mark Shaw.

Lyle's life was one of service, learning, hard work, faith, and devotion to family. He leaves behind a legacy that will continue through the lives of his family, the countless people he taught, and those he served and uplifted through missionary work. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 1:00 p.m., with a viewing prior from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Sand Hollow Stake Center, 4210 West Dixie Springs Drive, Hurricane, Utah. Interment will follow in the Hurricane City Cemetery located at 255 East 600 North. To view the funeral services please click on the link below and enter the passcode if prompted: Passcode: 191008 

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