John Burke Barnhill

John Burke Barnhill, 83, of Gatesville, Texas, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2026. Services will be held Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 11:00am at the Gatesville Church of Christ, Justin Hall officiating. Visitation with the family begins at 10:30am. Burial will follow at Restland Cemetery.

John’s deep love of God was apparent in his daily Bible study and prayer, his insightful teaching at church, his generosity to so many in the community, and his perseverance through difficult circumstances using faith and humor.

Born in Gatesville on April 8, 1943, to Lloyd and Idamae Barnhill, John grew up on his family’s ranch and graduated from Gatesville High School in 1961. After attending Texas A&M for one year on a veterinary medicine scholarship, he transferred to Abilene Christian College where he received a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and worked towards a master’s degree in sacred theology. He married his beloved wife Janis in 1965.

In the ‘70s, he attended the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he received a master’s degree in Religious Education and a Specialist in Education degree. He then attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he worked toward a doctorate in psychology and counseling. For over a decade John preached the gospel at churches in Texas and Louisiana, returning to his home church, the Gatesville Church of Christ, in 1972, where he preached until 1977.

John and his brother Jim owned and operated several department stores in the area, including Barnhill’s Department Store in Gatesville and others in Hamilton and Rosebud-Lott. Always the entrepreneur, he spent a decade restoring a condemned Victorian house on South Street to its original glory, was invested in oil and geothermal prospecting in Coryell County, and even created a nationwide mail-order plastic laminating business.

In the ‘80s John returned to his roots of agriculture and ranching, taking over the Barnhill Ranch, where he was able to express his passion for animals, the land, and archaeology. A man of God above all, he continued his deep involvement in the Gatesville Church of Christ over the next few decades as an elder, teacher, and counselor.

John is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Janis Barnhill; his children Charles Barnhill of Gatesville, Randy Barnhill (Leann) of Boerne, TX, and Becky Foster (Todd) of Metuchen, NJ; grandchildren Vickie Sue (James), Shari, Matthew, Joel (Lauren), Eric, Aviva and Eli; great-grandchildren Harper and Axel; and his brother Carl Barnhill (Jonnie) of Byers, TX.

John was preceded in death by his parents; brother Jim; and precious grandchildren Laurie Renee, Gary, DJ, and Charlie.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Gatesville Church of Christ, 2417 E. Main St., Gatesville, TX 76528.