Obituary of Stephen Chandler Barnes

Stephen Chandler Barnes passed away January 26, 2018, at the age of 61, at his home in Chantilly, Virginia. Steve was born in Hartford, CT on August 29, 1956, to the late Charles F. Barnes, Jr. and the late Nancy Buell. His family moved to Maryland when he was a boy, and he spent the rest of his life in the Washington metropolitan area, living in Maryland, Virginia, and for a while on his boat at the Washington, DC waterfront. Steve attended Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, and served in the United States Marine Corps and the USMC Reserves in the 1970’s. 

Steve worked for over 30 years in the Northern Virginia area as a self-employed General Contractor and the owner of Barnes Construction Services. Steve was a man of many talents; he could do just about anything related to building, remodeling, or repairing a home, he could re-fit a wooden boat, and roast a pig to perfection.  He enjoyed sailing, deep-sea fishing, and his aptly-named yacht, “Instigator”, and spent many an hour with family and friends on the waters of the Potomac and the Chesapeake Bay. He was a big man with a big heart and was notable for his many friendships that endured for decades. After retiring, Steve took up some less strenuous interests, such as refining his paternal grandmother’s recipe for bread and butter pickles. As usual, he took this project on with enthusiasm and determination, producing pickles that won multiple first-place awards in county fairs, of which he was quite proud.  His “Pickle King” label bread and butter pickles were relished by friends, family, and paying customers alike.

Steve is survived by his daughter, Lindsey Rayner Barnes, of Chantilly, VA, and her boyfriend Russell Abell, his brother Philip Barnes of Germantown, MD and his wife Yola, his Aunt Jean Moore and husband Ed, nieces Emily and Sara Barnes, very dear friends David Murphy and Bryan Tollett, his former wife Pamela who cared for him during his final illness, and many friends who will miss his big personality and his goofy jokes. 

A memorial service will be held at the Adams-Greene Funeral Home in Herndon, VA on Friday, February 23 at 2:00 PM with memorial gathering one hour prior. Those in attendance are invited to bring a photo from their time with Steve and/or a memory of him to share in a scrapbook to commemorate his life. After the service, friends and family will be welcome to gather at Steve’s home in Chantilly to continue to celebrate his life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Capital Caring Hospice, whose team provided tremendous support during Steve’s final months, or to the American Cancer Society.  (Please select the Donations tab on the left side of this page for donation options.)