Phillip Daniel Barnette

Phillip Daniel Barnette, 65, of Kingsport, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, November 22, 2017.Growing up, Phil was a happy, mischievous boy who loved to laugh and play. He was friendly and developed close friendships with boys and girls who were willing to embark on explorations and adventures with him. Phil was athletic and skillful in swimming, water skiing and putt-putt. He had a drawer full of red, yellow, and blue ribbons from local swim meets, and he once puzzled us with a mysterious disappearance only to show up later with a trophy from a putt-putt tournament. He planned to attend UT and become and engineer. Unfortunately, Phil had to relinquish his dreams for his life in August 1968, after a car hit the motorcycle he was riding. He was unconscious for nine and a half weeks and suffered severe traumatic head injury and other injuries which left him profoundly handicapped both mentally and physically. In spite of these injuries, Phil eventually completed his high school work and graduated with the help of a wonderful home bound teacher. He retained his gregarious friendliness and was always happy to receive visits from friends and relatives. He enjoyed joking and laughing and preserved his great sense of humor through all the ups and downs of his life. He could always make us laugh, even in the most difficult of times. He loved riding his exercise bike and spent many hours listening to the music he loved, singing along with Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, and other favorites of his youth. He continued swimming and enjoyed hours of fun at the Moose pool with his dad, brother and nephew (both his brother Doug and his nephew Daniel followed his example and joined the Dobyns-Bennett swim team.) Phil was a straight forward person who always talked the truth as he saw it.Phil faced life with courage,love and a persistent willingness to strive for something better. He was gentle with children and animals. He sometimes showed surprising insight and compassion for those around him when they encountered difficulties of their own. One of his most outstanding characteristics was his ability to have fun and share it with those around him, giving a bright sparkle to an ordinary day.He was also preceded in death by his mother, Helen Mullins Short. Those left to cherish Phil’s memory are his father, James E. Barnette; sister, Joan Barnette; brother, Doug Barnette and wife, Missy; nephews, Daniel Barnette and wife Angela, and Zach Barnette; grand-nephew, De Forest Barnette; and many beloved cousins.The family will receive friends from 12:30 pm until 1:30 pm Monday, November 27, 2017, at Oak Hill Funeral and Cremation Services in the Fireside Room.A Memorial Service will follow at 1:30 pm in the Fireside Room with the family officiating.A Graveside Service will be held at 3:00 pm in Oak Hill Memorial Park, Kingsport, TN.The care of Phillip Daniel Barnette and his family has been entrusted to the staff of Oak Hill Funeral & Cremation Services.Read Obituary