HONORING YOUR MEMORY
Kyle Evan Barnette Sr.
11-30-1955 - 6-8-2018
K
yle Barnette Sr. lost his battle with esophageal cancer on June
8,2018 after just being diagnosed a brief time before. Kyle was
born at Warner Air Force Base in Georgia in 1955 and learned
from an early age about the discipline and values that the military
instills in their soldiers. Serving his country was a value taught by his
father Clifford Barnette, who served in the Air Force for 20 plus years. His
brothers, Keith and Kevin, served in the Army and the Coast Guard also.
Kyle served in the Navy in the 70s and upon being discharged he
attended college at Southern Mississippi University and received his
bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. When he graduated, he was
employed by the U.S. Customs Service, where he served with distinction
as a special agent until the development of the Department of Homeland
Security, at which time he became a special agent with the Immigration
and Customs Enforcement Agency.
Kyle has served everywhere from Mobile Alabama to the front lines
of Arizona. He was also an instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement
Training Center in Brunswick Georgia. He ended his 30 years of law-
enforcement as Deputy Special Agent in Charge in New Orleans,
By: dina dupre
Louisiana, where he was in charge of a 5-state area before retiring. Kyle also
worked as the director at the Tactical Intelligence Center for HSI Investigations at
the Stennis Space Center after retiring.
Kyle Barnett dedicated his life in service to our great nation.
He loved to hunt and ride his motorcycle! Kyle was the founder of the Mississippi
Blood Trailing Network, a statewide organization of volunteers assisting the
hunters with the recovery of Whitetail deer. He was also a member of the Bad
Bottom Hunting Club, promoting safe and ethical hunting and game management.
Kyle was an active member and safety officer for the Mississippi II Chapter of the
Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club in Saucier Mississippi,
an organization dedicated to providing support to local charities. He rode with his
Brothers in Blue supporting many charities, especially when it was for a wounded
warrior or a fallen first responder. He always backed the boys in blue.
He adored his wife Judy, his famil y, his motorcycle and his dog “Zeus”, and I
know he will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He had a way of turning
strangers into friends and friends into family. You would always see him capturing
memories with his camera and his friends would jokingly call him “Paparazzi”
because he would take your picture whether you wanted him to or not.
He had a beautiful funeral with full military honors and was buried at the Biloxi
National Cemetery.
My heart goes out to his family at this time because I know this world lost a
great and admirable man!
34 Thunder Roads Magazine Louisiana/Mississippi | July 2018 | www.thunderroadslams.com
WHO ARE
THE PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS
F
or those that aren’t familiar with our organization, we are a national organization with groups
in every state. We are a 501c non- profit and have no paid staff. We are all volunteers.
Our mission is to honor Americas heroes, including Veterans, Active Duty Military, Law
Enforcement, and First Responders. We do this only when requested by the family. We are a
civilian Honor Guard. When requested, we go to funeral homes, or churches and have flag lines. We
also escort to the cemetery with motorcycles, many of which have flags. We stand in flag lines at
the Cemetery and are often pall bearers.
For those veterans who have no family to attend their services, we stand as their family.
I got involved with the Patriot Guard Riders when I got my first street bike in 2012. I was looking
for somewhere to volunteer, and I found the Patriot Guard
and realized it was a wonderful way to give back to those
who have sacrificed so much. The bonus was, it involved
riding my motorcycle! It was a perfect fit! My father was in
the Army in WW11, three of my brothers were in the Navy,
my husband is retired Air Force, 3 of our children are Veterans,
with one still in the Air National Guard! I knew when I found
the Patriot Guard, I had found where I belonged!
What many people don’t know is that joining us is free.
There are no meetings, and no dues. Once you sign up
online, you will start receiving emails about our missions,
and just show up when you can. It’s that simple!
You don’t have to be a veteran to join us, and you don’t
have to ride a motorcycle! Anyone who appreciates and
wants to help honor these heroes can come hold a flag and
join us!
To become a member, sign up online at www.
PatriotGuard.org or search for us on FaceBook, as many
areas have their own Facebook page.
South Mississippi Facebook fb/Patriot Guard Riders of the
Gulf Coast.
Come join us and STAND FOR THOSE WHO STOOD FOR US!
Sandie Schlett
Assistant State Captain for the Patriot Guard Riders in
Mississippi
www.thunderroadslams.com | July 2018 | Thunder Roads Magazine Louisiana/Mississippi
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