Joseph Edward Barns Jr.

Joseph Edward “Joe” Barns Jr., M.D., was born in Denton, Texas on January 27, 1950, the eldest of five children of Joseph Edward Barns, Sr. and Wylna Jean Massey. He graduated from Denton High School in 1968 and went on to earn a degree in Chemistry from North Texas State University, where he met the love of his life, Kathleen Marie Hudson. They shared more than 50 years of marriage before Kathy’s passing on March 15, 2024.

After completing medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and residencies in both Internal Medicine and Pathology, Joe became board certified in both specialties. He practiced Internal Medicine in Dallas for four years before devoting the next 33 years to pathology with a group practice based in Denison, Texas. Diagnosed with Stage IV prostate cancer in 2016, he continued working through treatment and returned after surgery, eventually transitioning to part-time and fully retiring in 2019. Joe and Kathy moved back to his hometown of Denton in 2018.

Joe found great joy in retirement, especially being near his daughters, brother, and one sister. He loved reading, tending his yard, and studying family history, taking pride in being a sixth-generation Denton County native whose ancestors settled in the area in the 1870s. He was an active member of The Village Church in Denton, where he participated in a home group, served on the Welcome Team, and enjoyed men’s groups. For many years he also traveled on medical mission trips to remote Mayan villages in Chiapas, Mexico.

Joe passed away on March 7, 2026 in Denton, Texas. He is survived by his daughters, Jennifer Lee Barns of Denton and Deborah Barns Hermon (Dave) of Carrollton, three grandchildren, Andrew, Kevin, and Carrie, his sisters Rene’ Ochs (Dick) of Kirksville, Missouri, Resa Glenn (Dell) of Whitney, Texas, and Rebecca Bird (Derek) of Denton, his brother Steve (Kathryn) of Denton, his sister-in-law Debbie Reed (Buddy) of Egypt, Texas, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.