Donald W. Barnard

Don Barnard’s life journey began with his birth in Petoskey, Michigan on Halloween of 1941.

Though his early life was spent in the rural farming communities of the Inland Northwest, his enlistment in the Army was the beginning of a 40+ year long career of service to the United States, the majority of which would take place overseas.

Don served two tours in Vietnam, was stationed in Okinawa, Taiwan, Thailand, & Japan, and learned Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese in his various roles as an intelligence specialist.  He was also stationed in multiple states within the U.S., and taught his craft at the U.S. Army Intelligence Center at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona.  He was proud to have been the last member of the M.S.S. to retire.

It was while stationed in Taipei, Taiwan, that Don met the love of his life, Chang-Ping “Betty” Chen.  They were married on April 22, 1975.  Don and Betty have one daughter together, Elizabeth A.I. Barnard, born on Christmas in 1977.

After deciding to finally retire in the year 2000, Don found his greatest pleasures in travelling the world with Betty & Elizabeth, and writing under the pen name, Donald Bradshaw.  He published one, unedited volume, “Memoirs of a Counterspy”, in 2010, for the enjoyment of family and friends.

Don’s accomplishments and dedication in his career were impressive, but it was his ability to make connections with people of varying cultures, his quick wit and easy laugh, and his love for his family that are the characteristics for which he will be remembered most.

A service of reflection is being planned for Monday, March 18th, 8:30am at Hennessey Funeral Home & Crematory followed by an inurnment at Washington State VA Cemetery, 21702 W. Espanola Rd., Medical Lake, WA 99022.  Please share memories and condolences on Donald's tribute wall.

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