Donald Lee Barnett

Donald Lee Barnett, 73, of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday, Jan. 19, 2007, at the Mercy Health Center following a brief illness. He was born in Springfield, Mo., to Wilbur and Mary Lee (Rountree) Barnett. He graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1951 and then joined the U.S. Navy, and served on board the U.S.S. Abbott.

After years of service in the Navy, he attended Pittsburg State University and Winona School of Photography. Donald then joined his father, Wilbur Barnett and stepmother Elisabeth Barnett, at Ren-nett Studio Photography, which Wilbur and Elisabeth started in 1937, in Fort Scott, and remained there until his retirement. Ren-nett Studio is still open and is operated by the third generation photographer, his son Christopher Barnett. Donald lived up until his death with his son Christopher and his wife Sarah, and his two grandchildren, Finnegan Lee and Charlee Ann Barnett in Fort Scott.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Mary Lee Rountree Barnett; his stepmother, Elisabeth Barnett; his son, Bryan Lee Barnett; and his daughter, Janet Richardson. He leaves behind two sons, Christopher Barnett and Daniel Barnett, both of Fort Scott; two daughters, Donna Jo Morris of Tuscon, Ariz., and Jody Deyak of New Hampshire; a half-brother, Billie Rountree of Visalia, Calif.; and 13 grandchildren.

The Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 23, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Visitation is Monday, Jan. 22, from 7-8 p.m., at the funeral home. Donald will be buried next to his son Bryan Barnett and his parents Wilbur and Elisabeth Barnett at Evergreen Cemetery.