Larry W. Barnes
Oriental Guide

Larry W. Barnes was born in Smithfield, NC on October 25, 1952.  He is the son of Fay Talton Barnes and the late Wilmond H. Barnes, Sr.  Larry grew up in Smithfield, graduating from Smithfield Selma High School and attending East Carolina University.  His career has been in heavy equipment sales, primarily construction equipment, since 1975. He has been self-employed since 1990 in the equipment and residential rental business.  He and his wife, Lacey Parrish Barnes, married in 1979 and have two children; Wil and his wife, Paige, and Eliza and her husband, Paul.  They are also blessed with four grandchildren.

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Larry’s masonic journey began when he was raised a Master Mason on August 14, 1986 in Crown Point Lodge #708 in Greenville, NC. After moving back to Smithfield in 1995, Larry joined Fellowship Lodge #84, serving as Master in 2003. He joined the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Wilmington in 1997.  He crossed the Hot Sands into the Shrine in Kinston in November 1997 and immediately joined the Johnston County Shrine Club and the Animated Animals.  He has served in many roles with both organizations, most notably president of the club in 2004 and 2014, ceremonial chairman in 2004 and 2014, director of Animated Animals from 2006 through 2011.  In 2004, he served as a divan aide for Past Potentate Noble Brack Wilson.  He was elected as a trustee and served on the Board of Trustees for Sudan Shriners from 2005 through 2015.  Larry is a member of Royal Order of Jesters, New Bern Court #145, serving as director in 2017.  In addition, it has been his great privilege and pleasure to bring laughter and joy to so many as the “Gorilla” in the Johnston County Animated Animals unit.

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Larry and Lacey are members of First Baptist Church of Smithfield.  They enjoy spending time with family and friends and boating the waters of the Intracoastal Waterway whenever they can.