Kenneth "Sam" Barnick

Kenneth “Sam” Barnick, 83, of Jamestown, ND, died Sunday, October 8, 2023 at the Jamestown Regional Medical Center in Jamestown, North Dakota.

Kenneth Eugene Barnick was born October 11, 1939, at the family farmstead west Nortonville, North Dakota, the third son of Paul and Marion (Hickey) Barnick.

He was raised in the Nortonville area and attended school in Nortonville graduating in 1957.  He then enlisted in the United States Navy and served with the Navy Seabees at Guam until his discharge in September 1962 at Treasure Island Station in San Francisco, California.

He returned to the family farm briefly till he moved to Jamestown began his employment with Montgomery Ward Tire Service in 1965.  He married Shirley Ann Bethke in 1968 and they had two children, Lance and Debra.  He continued to work for Montgomery Ward till 1982 when the business transitioned to Hanson Tire Service and retired in 2001.  He came out of retirement to work for the Jamestown Sun and Lux Concrete till he officially retired. He did volunteer his time for Northern Tree Service which he truly enjoyed.  He also was a long time member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2337 of Jamestown.

He was a notorious talker, story teller and jokester with no filter and was forever curious about a person’s name, their history and never to forget their name or face.  It was important to him lend a hand to everyone he met and to know how a person was doing.  His attempt to wrap up long conversations was always “Say hello to everyone for me.”

He loved to read, garden, feed his squirrels and birds, hunting with friends and especially with his children and grandchildren.  Deer season was particularly special to him and he planned the outing months in advance annually.

He looked forward to pizza night and watching Yellowstone with Shirley as well as making sure he didn’t forget her chocolate covered cherries for every birthday and anniversary.

In his working years he was commonly known as “Sam, Sam the tire man.” In his later years, he was more so identified by his old brown pickup and saying to every person he chatted with to “Keep smiling.”

He is survived by his wife, Shirley;  son Lance (Veronica) Barnick, Mandan, ND; daughter Debra (Lloyd) Suhr, Bismarck, ND;  siblings, Robert “Bob” (Mona) Barnick, Cookeville, TN; Joyce (John) Komar, Dewey, AZ; Janet (Tom) Minogue, Alabaster, AL; brother-in-law James Ingle, Morrisville, NC; grandchildren Parker Barnick and Mikaela Suhr; and eleven nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, James “Jimmy” Barnick; Roy Barnick and sister, Phyllis Ingle.

Memorial Service – 11:00 AM, Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Eddy Funeral Home, Jamestown, ND

Visitation - no visitation is scheduled

Interment - Nortonville Cemetery, Nortonville, ND at a later date.

Eddy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.