From our President

To our Jesuit Alumni and extended community — 

You may have seen in the news that Shane Barnes (Jesuit, ’07) was one of the soldiers killed in a training exercise in the Mediterranean over the weekend. 

My purpose in writing to you is to share something Shane said about his military service when he was interviewed for a 2015 article in Jesuit High School’s newspaper, The Plank:

‘“I learned to devote myself to something greater than myself at Jesuit,” Barnes said. “I have always felt called to service, and the [U.S.] Army has given purpose and meaning to that call.”’

Shane’s words are both humbling and inspiring.  He captures the ethos at the heart of Jesuit spirituality and education: When we feel God’s unconditional love, we are compelled to make our lives a generous offering of service to others. Shane Barnes was a “Man for Others.”

When he graduated from Jesuit High School in 2007, he turned down an invitation to attend West Point so that he could continue his Jesuit education by attending Gonzaga University with an ROTC scholarship.  Shane was first formed by his loving family and later by St. Ignatius Loyola (ever and always a soldier himself) while he attended Jesuit High School Sacramento and after by his unit in the United States Army.  

The Marauder family spans nearly 60 years of graduates, and our entire Jesuit family feels a loss like this. The Barnes family will appreciate your prayers for them during this difficult time.  I want you and the more than 11,000 Jesuit alumni and their families to know that you, too, are in my thoughts and prayers. 

Peace,

Chris Alling
President of Jesuit Sacramento

From the family 

We share more about Chief Warrant Officer 2 Shane Barnes

Upon graduating Cum Laude from JHS in 2007, Shane was selected for the Jesuit Alumni Service Award. He played football, rugby, threw shotput and discus, served on the student council, and volunteered in several school and community life areas. 

Shane attended Gonzaga University on an ROTC scholarship. He served as the Battalion Commander during his senior year and was awarded two different commendations for ethical leadership.

Shane’s greatest joy in life was his wife and daughters.  He met his beloved wife, Samantha Jo Barnes when the two were assigned to the same cohort in flight school at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. Together they graduated from flight school and served as Black Hawk helicopter pilots. They were both Captains and excelled at all they did. Recently, Shane changed Army tracks and became Chief Warrant Officer 2. This allowed him to remain with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and also with his family in Kentucky.

Married just over ten years, he and his wife were blessed with two precious little girls, Amelia, 5, and Katherine, 1.  Shane was an amazing Daddy, balancing the serious nature of his vocation as a pilot with the silliness of pillow fights, Saturday morning cartoons, tea parties, and learning to braid his daughters’ hair.

Shane began talking about his desire to serve in the military in 4th grade, and that desire grew stronger and more focused over time.  In addition to being a Special Operations Pilot, Shane was an Instructor Pilot for his unit and enjoyed training others to serve at the highest level. Some of his awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor device, Air Medal with Combat device, and Army Commendation, among other campaign awards.

His parents, Kelly & Mike Barnes, are both beloved members of the Jesuit Sacramento community. Mike is a member of the class of 1981, and Kelly worked in Campus Ministry for 15 years. Kelly, Mike, and Mike’s parents moved to Kentucky in 2021 to be involved in Shane, Sammy, and their girls’ lives. Shane’s brother Josh is also a Jesuit Sacramento alum, graduating in 2010, and now is on a similar career path as his mom Kelly – working in campus ministry at a Jesuit high school in the Tacoma, Washington area.

Please note – at this time there are no planned public memorial events. 

Members of Jesuit High School previously held a private Mass in Shane’s honor on Monday, November 13, 2023.