Dale "Tank" Barnett

At the end of an arduous and lengthy illness, Howard Dale "Tank" Barnett, 70, passed from this earthly world at his beloved home, Sweetbriar, in Ravenden, Arkansas on Friday, December 21, 2018. Dale was born June 6, 1948 on a rainy Sunday morning in the house built by his grandfather located on Bridger Road, near Brookland, Arkansas.

As a young boy, he enjoyed hunting with his dog, Mickey, on that same property and soon became an excellent marksman. Reared by his grandparents, “Ma & Pa”, Ralph and Edna Futrell, he attended school in Brookland. Shortly after the death of Pa, Dale moved to South Bend, Indiana, to live with his adoptive parents, Jay and Alice Barnett, and their son, Tom. He returned to Arkansas for his Senior year, graduating from Brookland High School. In Ft. Hood, Texas, he completed Sniper/Special Forces training and served from Feb. 1968 to Oct. 1969 in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict. He entered into public service November, 1970 by committing to the Jonesboro Police Department under the authority of Chief Hanley. Recognized for effective leadership and as a founding member of the SWAT Team, he made a significant impact on his fellow officers, thereby earning the nickname, “Tank”. Awarded the 1974 Jonesboro Police Officer of the Year as well as the Arkansas Municipal Police Association's J.E. Munns Award for Heroism in 1987, Tank retired with the rank of Captain in 1990. Upon retirement, Dale drove as a cross country trucker  for several years and then was employed as a supervisor for the Dana Corp. When the Jonesboro Dana plant closed Dale completed HVAC training in Marked Tree, Arkansas. After moving to Ravenden in 2004, he taught in the Oak Ridge Central and Sloan-Hendrix School Systems for Sub-Teach.

After his marriage to Bobbie Frances in 2000 Dale became a devotee of the Confederate Southern American culture as a descendant of 2 ^nd Lt. Joseph B. Clark, Confederate soldier. Dedicated to preserving his heritage and the true history of the War of Northern Aggression, he and Bobbie traveled extensively as Living Historians to a multitude of re-enacting events, Historical Marker placements, dedications and Confederate Memorials. It was his delight to participate in school day events, working as a cannoneer and to escort Miss Bobbie for wreath laying and flag placements in cemeteries for all Veterans. Dale was a Life Member of both the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Col. Robert G. Shaver Camp #1655 and the Fagan Chapter Military Order of Stars and Bars.

Dale was of the Baptist belief and a supporter to the Portia Church of Christ.

Dale was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ralph and Edna Futrell, Charles and Tennie  Barnett, mother, Willie Bell Futrell Stooksberry and his adoptive parents, Jay and Alice Futrell Barnett.

Those left to mourn are his devoted wife of eighteen years, Bobbie Frances, of Sweetbriar, Ravenden, Arkansas; daughters, Monica (David) Crow of Jenks, Oklahoma, Rebecca (Matt) Scholl of Mableton, Georgia and Keri (Phil) Swan of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; and son, Jason (Wei) Mixon of Jonesboro;    “Grandpa Tank” to Braden and Hudson Crow, Eli and Luke Scholl and Caleb Anderson. “Big Daddy” to Colton (Kelsey) Morgan, Marina Mixon and great-grandson, Bentley Collins. Faithful brother, Tom Barnett of Mishawaka, Indiana; and sister, Billie Sue (Bob) Freeman of Bono.  Precious children, Kaylynn, Elijah and Silas McComas and special neighbors, Wayne and Mary Mathney.

Grateful acknowledgment to all of his comrades in Law Enforcement, the Southern Cause Compatriots, Portia Church of Christ parishioners, Dr. Randall Carlton, Jennifer Jarrett APRN and Legacy Hospice for services and tender mercies.

Visitation to be held Wednesday, Dec.26 at 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.at Emerson Funeral Home with the Jonesboro Police Department providing honors. Graveside services will be Thursday, Dec. 27 at 2:00 p.m. Morgan Family Cemetery, 175 N. Morgan Trail, Williford, Arkansas with Andy Taylor and Danny Honnell officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.  Law Enforcement  personnel and Confederate Compatriots will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, please kindly consider:  Sons of Confederate Veterans Relief Fund, P.O. Box 59 Columbia, Tennessee 38402 or the Jonesboro SWAT Team, 1001 S. Caraway Road, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401.