The college was surprised and saddened when news came first that long-time employee Ben E. Barnes Jr., 55, had a stroke, and then further shocked at news of his passing this week. Our thoughts are with his family, wife Ivory, and sons Ben E. Barnes III and Samuel “Sammy.”
Ben was a long-time district employee, serving at the Bill J. Priest Institute and Mountain View College before coming to Brookhaven College. His work brought him together with a vast cross-section of the district. He was a career planning and placement specialist at Bill J. Priest, an adjunct continuing education instructor in computers and a continuing education program director at Mountain View College, and led the information technology department through its transitions for 10 years at Brookhaven College. Along with his official duties as executive dean of informational technology, he also indulged his love of music as an adjunct professor of music and by lending his talented voice to many employee gatherings.
Services are scheduled for May 9 at 11 a.m. at Friendship West Baptist Church, 2020 W. Wheatland Road, Dallas, with a wake on May 8 at 7 p.m. at Laurel Land Funeral Home at 6000 South R. L. Thornton in Dallas.
There are countless stories and memories of Ben Barnes that colleagues and friends can share with one another. In addition, the college is collecting sentiments as a collection for Ben's family. There are photographs and stories being gathered, so if you would like to share your thoughts in this collection, please feel free to send them to Dr. Sharon Blackman, college president, or to Monica Taliaferro, director of marketing. The Marketing and Public Information Office can scan photos so that you can keep a copy while still sharing these memories.
A scholarship is being established in Ben’s honor. The Human Resources Office has memorial ribbons available either for a donation to the Ben Barnes Memorial Scholarship or in exchange for a promised act of kindness. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation in Ben's name to the DCCCD Foundation. Checks can be made out to the DCCCD Foundation with Ben Barnes Memorial Scholarship in the memo line.
