John Richard Barnek Obituary

On the evening of Tuesday, August 1, 2023, John (Jack) Barnek of Reston, VA passed away.

Jack was born in Clarksville, PA to Michael and Elizabeth Barnek on May 19, 1949. He graduated from Bethlehem-Center High School in 1967.

From 1969 to 1970, Jack served his country as a member of the United States Army. For a year, he flew photo reconnaissance missions in Vietnam with the 73rd SAC Aviation Company. Upon returning stateside, Jack continued his service in the Army Reserves until 1975.

Following his time in Vietnam, Jack relocated to Northern Virginia. There, he began a 23 year career at Western Electric, which later became AT&T. Throughout the remainder of his career, he worked for several other companies before retiring in 2012.

In his leisure time, Jack enjoyed various athletic pursuits. He was an ardent softball player and golfer, and during the 1970s and 1980s, he actively participated in bowling leagues. Jack's love for the great outdoors led him to travel the United States alongside his friends creating cherished memories along the way.

As a lifelong sports enthusiast, Jack avidly followed his beloved hometown teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates. Additionally, he was a regular attendee of home games for the Washington Redskins, showing his unwavering support for local sports.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael (Mike) and Elizabeth and his brother James (Jim).

He is survived by his sister Carole Fowkes of Bowie, MD and her husband Dale; their daughter Laurie Fowkes; and their son Michael (Mike) Fowkes, his wife Heather and their children Kelsey and Caitlin.

While a memorial service is not currently scheduled, a celebration of Jack's life will be announced at a future date.

As a veteran himself, Jack often contributed to organizations that provide aid and assistance to fellow members of the armed forces.

In light of this, the family kindly request that instead of sending flowers, those who feel inclined to honor Jack's memory consider making a donation to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in his name. The DAV is an incredible organization that tirelessly works to improve the lives of disabled veterans and their families.

To make a donation in Jack's honor, please visit the DAV website at https://dav.org.

Furthermore, members of Jack's family will be participating in the DAV 5K Walk on November 11, 2023, as a tribute to his memory.