Dwight Alan Barnes

Alan Barnes, 66, resident of Houston, TX, and formerly Gulf Breeze, FL, died unexpectedly on Saturday, August 20, 2022 while on vacation near Cancun, Mexico.  Alan was born in Pensacola, FL on October 5, 1955.  He lived in Pensacola until the age of eleven, when his family moved to Gulf Breeze.  Alan attended Gulf Breeze High School, Class of 1973, where he excelled at baseball and basketball.  He attended Pensacola Junior College, where he pitched for the Pirates while earning his AA Degree.  He was a member of Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church while growing up in Gulf Breeze. Alan thereafter attended the University of Florida (Go Gators!), earning his degree in Marketing.  He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at UF. Following graduation from college, Alan began his career in Jacksonville, FL, then New Orleans, LA, and Houston, TX, where he lived the past four decades.  Alan spent the last 38 years of his career at DXP Enterprises, Inc. and served as V.P. of DXP’s Seal Division. He retired in September 2021. Alan was preceded in death by his parents, Leon Grady Barnes and Yvonne Livings Barnes.  He is survived by his wife, Shawna Turner Barnes; his sister, Belinda Barnes de Kozan and brother-in-law, Von de Kozan; nephews, Philip de Kozan (Lane) and Mitchell de Kozan; Philip and Lane’s daughters, Grace Barnes de Kozan and Sarah Jane de Kozan; one paternal uncle, several cousins, and many friends.  He was very fond of Shawna’s children and grandchildren and spent many happy occasions with them.  Alan loved to travel throughout his life, and traveled extensively around the world for business and personal endeavors, including trips to England; Scotland; France; many Mediterranean seaports; Australia; Singapore; Turkey; Venezuela; Brazil; Canada; the Virgin Islands; Costa Rica; Mexico; and throughout the United States, including Alaska and numerous trips to Hawaii. Alan loved the beach, golf, music (especially The Beatles), baseball, basketball, and cars.  In retirement, Alan's love of golf grew tremendously as he spent many hours on the green and took his two beloved dogs, Tootsie and Tilly, for long walks on the course.  He enjoyed Florida Gator football, baseball, and basketball. Alan’s father coached his youth baseball teams and  taught him much about auto mechanics (and baseball, basketball, hunting), and they could be seen changing the oil and the points and plugs on various family vehicles. Alan’s love of cars led him to attend the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500. Alan was a man of great integrity. He had a strong work ethic instilled by his mother and father.  He was loyal, dependable, and tough.  He also had a quick wit and dry sense of humor.  He will be missed deeply by his family and friends. Graveside services for all who wish to attend are scheduled to take place at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 31st at Rose Lawn Cemetery, Gulf Breeze, FL, with the Rev. Ruth Knights officiating.