Melvin Ray Barnett, 78, of Gloucester, passed away at his home on Saturday, May 27, 2017.

He was born in Joplin, Missouri, and was the son of the late Alfred and Viola May Barnett.

He retired from the U.S. Navy with 20 years of service and served the city of Salem in the Sheriff’s Office for 20 years and retired in 1995. He was a member of Grace Bible Church, Botetourt Masonic Lodge #7 AF&AM, the Royal Arch, Knights Templar. He also served as District Deputy Grand Master. He was an avid woodworker.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia N. Barnett; his daughter, Patricia Lynn Clark and her husband Barry, and David Ray Barnett and his wife Heather; sister, Norma Jean and Eddie; half-sister Vicky; grandchildren, Daniel, James, Jacob, Jerrad, and Cody; a great-grandchild Anthony, and a special cousin, Lloyd Wilson.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 2, 2017, at 11 a.m. in Grace Bible Church. Burial with Masonic rites and military honors will be in Windsor Gardens Cemetery, Dutton.

Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester, is in charge of arrangements.