Barnaby Thompson Parkes (22 Dec 1994 - 7 Oct 2018)

In loving memory of Barnaby Thompson Parkes who sadly passed away on 7th October 2018

Barnaby Thompson Parkes (Barney Bear)

Barnaby rushed into the world three weeks early to ensure he got his first Christmas present, on the coldest day of the year in 1994; an impetuous boy, he was always wanting to learn new things and meet new people.
He was one of the first babies to go to Carlton Day Nursery when it opened shortly after he was born and that’s where he first started making some of his many lifelong friends.
From Carlton Nursery he moved up to Lawn Primary School making many friends for life that he was still in touch with until the day he died, as once Barney scooped you up; it was hard to let him go.
Whilst at Lawn Primary Barnaby learned to play the trumpet, joined the local Beavers at St John’s followed by the Cubs, Scouts, Jujitsu, Derby Rugby Club and Derby Rowing Club before moving on up to Woodlands Secondary School and his passion that was to become Air Cadets.
Barney made many new friends at Rugby as one of the now infamous under 9’s team that won the Gulliver’s Silver Bowl at Twickenham in May 2004 before moving on to Air Cadets where he became a member of their shooting team, won the “Most promising Cadet” Cup and the” Ian Humphrey Memorial Shield” for commitment; climbing the ranks as the youngest corporal, then Sergeant finally qualifying as an Instructor Cadet. Barnaby loved his shooting and flying fixed wing “Grob” trainer aircraft and ”Vigilant T1” gliders almost as much as his black Labrador Pippa and the Dog Section at RAF Lyneham where he spent 2 weeks on work experience to learn all about Hercules Transport Planes and C-17’ Globemasters.
Barnaby made even more friends around the city with his Nagare En Kempo Jujitsu and spending time with “Sumo” (Steve Pateman) at his gym where he enjoyed practicing his free running & Parkour that inspired him to set up his own Company B4RNE Limited at the very young age of 14, selling Parkour clothing and then Safetywear Hi Viz clothing to the likes of Cat Logistics and Clowes Developments and bespoke business gifts to the Institute of Directors.
As well as a very active school and social live Barnaby also developed a commendable work ethic which started when he began work at the Cathedral Quarter Hotel as a part time silver service waiter from the age of 16. This enabled him to save up his wages to pay for the insurance on his first car.
Barnaby moved on to Landau College after successfully obtaining numerous RAF/Cadet qualifications and 10 GCSE’s. Woodlands School were sadly unable to offer him the prospectus of his choice that would help him progress with his RAF management training along with A Levels in engineering and product design which was his new found passion.
After 2 years at Landau, Barnaby left with his desired A Levels in product design and two BTEC Higher Diplomas in engineering and even helped design and advise on the building of the new School Clock with Smiths Clocks of Derby .
Barnaby was adamant that he didn’t want to go to University even though he had been offered the opportunity but wanted to use his hands, so off he went to find a job and immediately started work for Aldi Supermarkets as a temporary retail assistant that lasted nearly 2 years before landing his first job in engineering with Garrandale running their “True Weld” operation with his mentor Geoff.
Ever keen to learn Barnaby, soon moved on to Tioga to become a “pcb electronics technician” making circuits boards for the defence Industry before landing his favourite job of all at Pentaxia as a Carbon Fibre Laminator working on components for several of the F1 teams including Petronas Mercedes, Red Bull Toro Rosso and Maclaren and prestige marques like Aston Martin, Maclaren and Bentley.
Forever the Petrol head, Barnaby had a number of cars and loved nothing better than racing round Donnington Park Circuit with his brother in his MG ZR on track days or driving his Seat FR or Volvo T5 up to Allport Heights to chill with his mates or help them work out their problems in a peacefull tranquil setting.
A kind and caring soul Barnaby would never leave home without a hug, a kiss and a “Love You” and he would always be there for a friend in need; once he’d got them sorted, he would simply move on to the next one spreading the love along the way.
“The boy with a swagger” was selfless, unassuming and caring with a determination to help all those less fortunate than himself; he will be greatly missed by everyone he touched in his caring ways.

Rest in peace “Barney Bear” you may be gone but you will never be forgotten.

“Here for a good time not a long time...”