Douglas Ronald "Doug" Barnette

Professional Free Flight Pilot Was Exceptional Photographer

Saturday, July 27, 2019

Douglas Ronald "Doug" Barnette, 74, passed peacefully on July 24, 2019. 

Born in Washington, DC, his family moved to Miami, FL where Doug remained through his college years.  In the early 1970s, he became interested in hang gliding and moved to Chattanooga to pursue what became an important part of his life.  Doug was a professional free flight pilot and was recognized for spectacular photography achieved both while in flight, as well as from the ground.  He was a competition pilot, a photo journalist and was featured in a Martini & Rossi commercial as he launched his hang glider off an ocean-front rooftop in Miami, soaring out over the ocean.
 
Doug enjoyed travel, and experienced life by visiting many countries and cultures.  He almost always could be found with camera-in-hand, as he documented all walks of life.  Doug owned & operated a commercial photo studio near Chattanooga, where he provided award-winning photography to a plethora of major corporations – both large and small.
 
Doug attended Hialeah High School, Miami Dade College, and University of Miami – majoring in Fine Arts. He served in the U.S. Navy, and spent most of his time on a ship at sea for the purpose of rescuing astronauts as they made sea landings.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents, S. Ronald and Ruth (Hinton) Barnette.
 
Doug is survived by his son, Skyler, Chattanooga and one brother, Alan, Los Angeles, CA, along with several nieces and nephews.
 
A memorial service will be held at Chattanooga’s National Cemetery at a later date.
 
Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, 423 531-3975.

Provided by Sergio Siller