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The Barnes Storm

Meat cutter’s legacy includes union members and two sons on professional sports teams

Henry Barnes has lived a life of dedication. He has been married to his wife, Ann, for 28 years. He recently retired after the same number of years as a union meat cutter, mostly with BelAir Markets.

“I knew I’d be in the industry for the long haul because I had a family to provide for,” Barnes said. “The benefits of a union job were worth it.”

The family members he provided for have grown to provide for them selves. His daughter, Danielle, is now 25 years old and followed in her father’s union footsteps. She now works in a UFCW-affiliated dental office.

The professions of his sons, however, are a little different than most. Matt Barnes is an NBA forward on the Golden State Warriors and Jason Barnes was invited to train for the San Jose SaberCats Arena Football team. “Matt’s dream was to play basketball at UCLA,” Barnes said, “and that’s just what he did.” Matt had his choice of schools, having received the first of his many college recruiting letters when he was in the eighth grade.

Now, with four years in the NBA under his belt, Matt recently signed for one more year with the Warriors.

“His future looks bright,” Barnes said. “Dallas offered him $34 million to play for them, but he turned it down because money isn’t as important to him as being close to home.” Barnes went to 40 of the Warriors’ 42 home games last year to see his son play. “We drove a lot of miles to see him,” he said. “It was worth it, though. It’s fantastic to watch him play. There’s no greater feeling in the world.”

Barnes’ other son, Jason, is a fast-rising figure in the world of Arena Football. “Jason doesn’t want to be seen as ‘Matt Barnes’ little brother,’” Barnes said, “He’s making a name for himself.”

After playing in high school and college, briefly at Minnesota State and later at Fresno State, Jason played a year for Fresno in the Arena 2 League.

What makes Barnes’ children so successful? “I’ve always stressed hard work and dedication because it’s something I didn’t have when I was growing up,” he said. “You can be really good at something, but you won’t be great unless you work hard at it. You have to do it every day.

You can’t be a part-time athlete.” Barnes sees that level of dedication in his children. “I’m very proud of all of them,” he said.

Official publication of UFCW 8-Golden State Jacques Loveall, President