Jack Regis Barnett

In the early afternoon of August 24, 2026, our beloved father and grandfather, Jack Barnett, closed his eyes here on earth and awoke in the presence of Jesus Christ, his Savior, with his loving wife waiting at Heaven’s gate to embrace him. Absent from the body, present with the Lord—in just one breath.

Jack was born on June 30, 1937, in Martins Ferry, Ohio, and later made his home in Akron, where he lived for many years before moving to Chippewa Township in Doylestown, Ohio, in 1995.

In December 1959, Jack married the love of his life, Veronica Sue “Ronnie” Hurak. Jack loved Ronnie immensely, and the two were inseparable throughout their life together. Since her passing, we know she has been anxiously waiting for Dad to join her in Heaven. Now, because of their faith in Jesus Christ, they are together forever.

Jack was a proud United States Army veteran. Throughout his working life, he was employed by the Summit County Engineer’s Department and Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, where he worked as a tire builder for 15 years. In 1981, he became self-employed as an insurance agent and continued working with his company, Barnett Morehart and Associates in Akron, Ohio, until his retirement last year. He then moved to Florida to live with his daughter and son-in-law.

Jack and his family lived in Firestone Park for 34 years before he and Ronnie moved to Doylestown, Ohio, where he remained until his move to Florida.

Jack was a tremendous athlete and had a lifelong love of sports. Football, baseball, especially golf—you name it, Dad loved playing it or watching it. As a young man, he was recruited to pitch for the Cleveland Indians, but instead chose to serve his country in the United States Army. He went on to play professional and semi-professional baseball and was also an exceptional golfer, participating in several golf leagues throughout the Akron area.

His love of sports extended beyond himself. Jack organized the Junior Pro Basketball program for boys in Firestone Park, giving young people in his community the opportunity to play and enjoy the sports he loved so much. He was like a dad to a lot of the young boys who didn’t have fathers. They loved him and he loved them.

When he wasn’t playing sports, Jack loved to fish, work with his hands, and spend time outdoors. He was a talented carpenter who built many projects simply for the pleasure of creating something. He loved working in the yard and especially enjoyed caring for the woods surrounding his home in Doylestown.

Jack’s faith was at the center of his life. He had been a member of The Chapel since 1976, where he faithfully served as a deacon and usher for many years. He was also a member of the Primetime and Fellow Heirs ABF classes.

Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ronnie Barnett, brother Harvey Barnett Jr., parents, Harvey R. Barnett Sr. & Mildred L. {Abbott} Barnett. He leaves behind a family who loved him dearly, his children, Jerri Lynn Anderson (Leonard) and Jack R. Barnett Jr. (Judy ) along with his beloved grandchildren Aaron W. Anderson (Jaclyn), Matthew D. Anderson (Rachel), Derek H. Anderson (Rachel), as well as sisters-in -aw Carol (Al) Strabic and Janet Murtidjaja. Along with his grandchildren, Jack had 8 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews who will all carry his memory, his stories, his faith, and his love with them for generations to come.

More than anything, Jack loved his family, loved his wife, and loved the Lord. While our hearts are heavy because we will miss him terribly, we take great comfort in knowing where he is and who was waiting for him. After a lifetime of love and faith, Dad and Mom are together again, forever, in the presence of Jesus.

Private committal services with military honors will be held for his family at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at The Memorial Chapel, 135 Fir Hill Rd. AKRON, OH 44304 on Thursday, September 3 at 2:00 PM. Doors will open at 1:00 PM for friends and family visitation. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s memory are suggested to Parkway Baptist Church Fort Myers, FL 33912. To leave a message for Jack's family, please visit the guest book below.