Bell Funeral Home - Pacific

James Patrick Barnard
September 16, 1958 – June 24, 2026

James “Jim” Patrick Barnard, 67, of Pacific, Missouri, passed away on June 24, 2026. Born on September 16, 1958, in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late Joseph and Phyllis (née Hahn) Barnard, Jim lived a life defined by service, resilience, and an unwavering devotion to his family.

Jim proudly served his country in the United States Army during two periods of active duty, first enlisting at just 17 years old in 1975 and returning to active service in 1980. Jim found purpose in military service, where he rose through the enlisted ranks to leave the Army as a Sergeant, earning the respect of those around him. During nearly eight years of active-duty service, he earned the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, the coveted Expert Infantryman Badge, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, and the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon. The responsibility of leading soldiers and serving something larger than himself became an important chapter of his life, especially his time along the Korean Demilitarized Zone. The experiences of those years stayed with him for the rest of his life, joining him to a brotherhood of fellow soldiers to which he was proud to belong. He married Christine Bauer in 1978, and together they built a family that remained the center of his world.

After his honorable discharge in 1984, Jim settled into civilian life and put the same work ethic he’d carried in uniform into everything he did. He drove a cement truck before joining Integram St. Louis Seating, where he worked throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s manufacturing seats for the Chrysler minivan. He later took to the open road as a long-haul truck driver, logging countless miles across the country.

But more than any job, game, or pastime, Jim loved his people. He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan and cheered on the Kansas City Chiefs with equal passion. He enjoyed golfing, riding his motorcycle, coaching his sons’ baseball teams, and sharing a love of Taekwondo with them. He was fiercely protective of those he loved and rarely met a stranger—the kind of man who greeted everyone with a joke, a tease, or a hug, sometimes all three at once.
Jim is survived by his sons, Rick Barnard and wife Jennifer, and their daughters Charlotte and Annabel, of Montgomery, Illinois; Jimmy Barnard and wife Lauren, and their daughters Sawyer, Fynleigh, Georgia, and Journi, of St. Clair, Missouri; and Jason Barnard and his daughters Khloe Coats and Taylor Barnard; as well as their mother, Christine Barnard, of Pacific, Missouri. He is also survived by his siblings: John Barnard and wife Sandy, of Villa Ridge, Missouri; Joseph Barnard Jr. and wife Jeanne, of St. Clair, Missouri; Teresa Barnard, of Villa Ridge, Missouri; Jeff Barnard, of Beaufort, Missouri; and several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Bell Funeral Home in Pacific, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Jim’s name to the Tunnel to Towers

Foundation at dogood.t2t.org/IMOJamesBarnard.
Jim will be deeply missed by all who knew him and remembered with a laugh, a hug, and a whole lot of love.

ORPHA L. JONES (nee Thonas) - SERVICES:
Service: Private
Location: Bell Funeral Home, Pacific, Missouri

RONALD ALLYN RICE - OBITUARY

RONALD ALLYN RICE, of Pacific, Missouri, passed away June 18, 2026 at the age of 86 years, 7 months and 13 days. Mrs. Rice was born November 5, 1939 in Bridgeton, New Jersey to Roland and Doris (nee Goss) Rice. He was united in marriage to Carol Bukowsky on August 5, 1961 at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Pacific, Missouri. Mr. Rice was preceded in death by both his parents; his wife Carol; and two children, Kimberly Whitmore and Donald Rice.

Mr. Rice is survived by his son, Mark Rice; his grandchildren, Heather Rice, Mark Rice Jr., Ashley Whitmore, Dakota Whitmore, Austin Ritchey, Madison Ritchey, and Jessica Rice; his great-grandchildren, C**t, Dallas, Ila, Mason, and Lillian; other relatives and many friends.

Mr. Rice proudly served his country and the United States Army, where he served two tours in Viet Nam and continues to serve as an M.P until his retirement from the Army. He served his community as a Lieutenant in the Pacific Police Department. He was a member of the American Legion, The V.F.W. and Pacific Eagles Aerie #3842. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing poker, collecting Indian artifacts, studying the civil war, and watching western movies.

Visitation for Mr. Rice is Tuesday, June 23, 2026 from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Bell Funeral Home, Pacific, Missouri. Funeral services are Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at the funeral home at 10:00 A.M. with Reverend Alexander Nord officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at Sunset Memorial Cemetery, Pacific, Missouri.