J. Stephen Barnes , 83, of Sellersville, PA; formerly of Blue Bell and Norristown, PA and Salt Lake City, UT passed away by his loving wife's side on Friday, July 26, 2024 at his residence.

Stephen was the loving husband of Bunny (Sherman) Barnes for 44 years. He was born in Salt Lake City, UT to the late Fred Patrick Barnes and the late Jean (Woolley) Barnes Poulsen.

The consummate guitar aficionado and teacher, Stephen significantly influenced his wife's musical journey. His coaching and knowledge proved invaluable to her. He was a true Renaissance man!

Stephen graduated from Highland High School, class of 1958, and was named "Best Student Actor" at the University of Utah for 1959-60 and he appeared frequently at the Playbox and Babcock Theater. His interest in acting began at Highland High School, where he played Captain Hook in "Peter Pan." His love of the arts transcended acting. He was also an artist and his works are comprised of painting and sketching. He was a folk singer and guitarist in his younger years, appearing with the folk group, The Shenandoahs. He toured the United States in an acting troupe and also worked as the set designer.

Stephen then honed his guitar skills into classical guitar and upon relocating to the East Coast, he became a classical guitar teacher at Bucks County Community College during the 1960's - 1970's. Stephen was a resident artist for the Bucks County Community College drama department rendering all of the posters for their stage productions. He taught Adult Education Folk Guitar classes for William Tennent High School in Warminster, PA. During the 1980's, he was a student and life study model in the art department at Montgomery County Community College. In his later years, he reconnected with his hometown and became a loyal member of the Utah Classical Guitar Society. From 2005-2011, he was a library aid for the Salt Lake City Public Library. His passion for music is exemplified in his attendance of concerts, music festivals, guitar camps, and the Philly Folk scene.

Stephen enjoyed doing TV crossword puzzles and JUMBLES from 1980 through his later years. He also enjoyed playing chess and watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. He was an avid football fan all his life; mostly the Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. Stephen had a passion for guitar and played daily. He loved James Dean all his life. He also loved his cat, Miss Wiggles and his late cat, Ketzel Dreh.

During his time in Salt Lake, his classical guitar friends were impressed with his incredible ability to sight read, his interest in music of all types, and his kind support to one and all.

"We cannot hear Sor without thinking of Steve because we remember him playing really lovely Sor studies at various Guitar Circles. He was a gentle and wonderful soul, filled with music." - from his friends at the Utah Classical Guitar Society

In addition to his wife, Stephen is survived by his daughter, Heather Louise Barnes of Portland, OR; his half-brother, Carl Baird Barnes & wife, Lisa of St. Louis, MO; his five nieces and nephews, Barbara Barnes & husband, Eric Chesmar of San Francisco, CA, Diane Barnes-Fagg & husband, Bruce of Denver, CO, Ralf Barnes & wife, Suzy of Salt Lake City, UT, Erika Church & wife Lorelei Rutledge of Salt Lake City, UT, and Devan Aloysius Church & wife, Sara Lynn Gonzales of Maumee, OH.

He will be dearly missed by his family, his wife's family, and all of his many friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Fred Ralf Barnes and his half-sister, Elizabeth "Betty" Jean Poulsen.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at Anders-Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 E. Broad St., Souderton, PA 18964, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 pm PROMPT. The service will be Livestreamed.

Burial will take place at George Washington Memorial Park, 80 Stenton Ave., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Utah Classical Guitar Society, https://www.utahclassicalguitar.org/stephen-barnes or Arbor Day Foundation, https://arborday.org or Kitty Cottage Adoption Center, Inc., https://www.kittycottage.org/ways-to-help .

Arrangements by: Anders-Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 East Broad Street, Souderton, PA 18964. To send online condolences to the family, visit www.andersfh.com .