A house RESOLUTION

 

to EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF Colonel Howard D. Barnard III OF Horry COUNTY AND TO EXTEND DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.

 

Whereas, at the age of eighty-one, Howard D. Barnard III died on Friday, May 8, 2026. Born in Albany, Georgia, on January 21, 1945, he was the son of Howard Barnard and Theodosia Donaldson Barnard and was reared in a loving home with his sister, Doty Barnard Dunn. He earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout and graduated from Albany High School, having lettered in basketball and track; and

 

Whereas, in 1967, he earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia and was commissioned in the United States Air Force. Until he retired in 1995, he served his country with distinction as a fighter pilot and paratrooper, accruing over five thousand flying hours in single-seat fighters, including the A-10, in which he was recognized as a Top Gun. He earned master's degrees from the University of Oklahoma and from the United States Army War College and pursued postgraduate studies; and

 

Whereas, a veteran of the Vietnam War, Colonel Barnard served as a commander during Operation Desert Storm and was decorated for heroism in combat, receiving two Distinguished Flying Crosses and thirteen Air Medals. He commanded every level within an Air Force Fighter Wing during his career and served on the fighter planning staff at The Pentagon. In 1982, he was assigned to Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, where he served for four years and commanded the 356th Fighter Squadron; and

 

Whereas, he retired to Horry County and became deeply involved in volunteer service. A man of deep faith who loved his family, friends, and flying, he was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church of Myrtle Beach for over thirty years. He served as an elder, deacon, and teacher, and from 1995 to 2007, he worked as director of lay and stewardship ministries. He guided church volunteer groups in building over thirty homes in Mexico through Constructores Para Cristo, accompanied medical and dental mission teams worldwide, and organized local relief efforts following hurricanes; and

 

Whereas, he served nine years on the Habitat for Humanity board, two years as president, and volunteered as an adult reading instructor with the Horry County Literacy Council. He served on the Carolina Trust Supervisory Board, Coast RTA Board of Directors, and Surfside Area Rotary Board of Directors, one year as its president. He participated in a dental assistance program in Haiti; and

 

Whereas, for more than twenty years, Colonel Barnard helped prepare and serve hot meals at the Street Reach homeless mission and was an active member of the Flight of the Daedalians, an organization for military pilots. With his friend, Colonel Edsel "Coupe" DeVille, he developed Wright Flight, an aviation incentive program for local public schools, positively impacting hundreds of sixth graders. In 2009, they started Surfside Rotary 5-K Turkey Trot to raise funds for Wright Flight. In 2025, they had over twelve hundred runners. He served on the Horry County Board of Education for six years; and

 

Whereas, he served on Horry County Council from 2003 to 2010. He built consensus for the penny sales tax for road improvements and advanced local building projects. He helped to improve evacuation routes for the South Strand area as chairman of the Southern Evacuation Lifeline Task Force and helped to secure funding for the General Aviation Terminal and the expansion of Myrtle Beach Airport; and

 

Whereas, with his first wife of fifty-five years, the late Connie Cordell Barnard, he reared two children, Beth Barnard Blum and Howard D. Barnard IV, who blessed him with five grandchildren: Dr. Andrew Ellis Blum, Catherine Blum MacLaren, Sarah Barnard Watson, James Cole Barnard, and Ella Rose Barnard. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Dr. Marga Faith Massey; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is grateful for the life and legacy of Howard Barnard and for the example of service and duty he set for all who knew him. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express profound sorrow upon the passing of Colonel Howard D. Barnard III of Horry County and extend deepest sympathy to his loving family and his many friends.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Howard D. Barnard III.

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