Joseph M.

Barnes, Iii

Joseph M. Barnes, III, 80, of Thomasville, passed away on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at his residence. Graveside Services will be held at Laurel Hill Cemetery on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 2:00 pm with David Parrish officiating. Mr. Barnes was born in Pavo, GA to the late Joseph M. Barnes, Jr. & Burnette Griffin on December 3, 1940. He married Amanda A. Barnes on April 17, 1993, who survives. He was a graduate of Thomasville High School - Class of 1958. He attended Southern Technical Institute (Georgia Tech) and Dekalb College where he graduated with a Liberal Arts/Business degree in 1972. He worked for Sam P. Wallace (the world's largest mechanical contractor) as a Mechanical Engineer. He contracted with several firms in Atlanta and was a Project Engineer on large high rises around the city, the airport, and hospitals, including one in Singapore. He also worked as a Public Assistance Debris Specialist for FEMA, traveling the country and assisting with the aid & clean up of natural disasters. He enjoyed his visits abroad, which were to, Singapore, Europe, Germany, England, Scotland, Ireland and Italy. His fondest memory was visiting Scotland and studying the ancestory of Dane McLeod. He was a Soccer Referee and the President of Gwinette County Soccer Association for several years. After retiring he moved back to Thomasville where he started a flooring business and attended First Newark Baptist Church. In his free time he enjoyed NASCAR, photography, and smoking meat.