The industry is mourning the loss of longtime onion man Greg Barness, who died at age 60 on Sunday, June 16, at his Kennewick, WA, home.
At the time of his passing, Greg was part of the sales team of Eagle Eye Produce in Pasco.
He is survived by his wife, Gail, his son Nathan (wife Melanie) and daughters Angie (husband Trever) and Danielle (life partner Oakley).
A loving tribute by his family posted at https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tricityherald/obituary.aspx?n=greg-barness&pid=193193192&fhid=2301 notes that Greg received his commission “to Heaven by passing into the loving arms of his Father on Father’s Day… in the comfort of his home.”
He was born May 15, 1959, in Madison, WI, to Donald Barness and the late Sally Barness and was the oldest of three children. His siblings are brother Geoff Barness and his sister, Ginny Comstock.
Greg and Gail, who was his “high school sweetheart, soul partner, and best friend,” were married in 1981, and the tribute describes their children as the light of their lives.” A devout Christian, Greg “loved working in the church and cherished praising the Lord and serving his community,” welcoming everyone into the church. And his “legacy resides within his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.”
When word of Greg’s passing reached his friends in the onion industry, Jason Vee with Vee’s Marketing said, “I like to refer to the people I’m fond of in this business as the good guys. Greg was one of the good guys.”
Lance Poole with Eagle Eye Produce in Idaho Falls, ID, remembered his colleague as one of “positive energy,” saying, “Greg was an incredible man and we will all miss him greatly. He was a very strong member of our sales team and was always full of life and willing to help others in any way, shape, or form. We will continue to celebrate the life he lived which was full of laughter, excitement, and positive energy.”
OnionBusiness.com extends our heartfelt condolences to the Barness family.
