BARNES, Bruce F. From the L.A. Times Sports section: Passings Bruce Barnes, one of the most successful race car driver agents in the country, died Monday after an extended illness. He was 70. A longtime Orange County resident, Barnes represented the Unser family, Bobby, Al and Al Jr., along with Johnny Rutherford, Parnelli Jones, Rick and Roger Mears, and Bobby Rahal. In 1974, with Bobby Unser, he formed Barnes Marketing to create marketing and sponsorships for pro athletes and racing teams. He also handled sponsorship marketing for 15 years for the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. A rosary will be recited Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at St. John Vianney Chapel on Balboa Island at 7:30 p.m. Services will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in Newport Beach. SHAV GLICK. Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: May 27, 2005 ======================= Bruce F. Barnes Barnes, Bruce F.(70) A prominent sports marketing executive and agent for sports celebrities, including the famous Unser family, Bobby, Al, Al Jr., along with Rick and Roger Mears, Parnelli Jones, Bobby Rahal and Johnny Rutherford, passed away May 23, 2005 following an extended illness. Barnes, a long time Orange County resident, was president of Barnes Marketing, a company he founded in 1974. He is a 1959 University of Southern California graduate. Barnes had a ten-year highly successful career with the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, Inc. In 1969 he joined Sports Headliners as a partner with his brother Chuck, creating one of the original marketing agencies for professional athletes and auto racing greats. Among others, they represented Mario Andretti, AJ Foyt, Parnelli Jones and Roger Mears, along with football professionals Al Cowling and Johnny Unitas, as well as several golf professionals. In 1974, together with Bobby Unser, Bruce formed Barnes Marketing, to create marketing and sponsorships for professional athletes and auto racing teams and personalities. Headliners included Patrick Racing and Penske Racing teams, Drag Racing team John Force, along with Off Road champion Roger Mears and Indy drivers Bobby Rahal, Emerson Fittipaldi and Mario Andretti among others. Barnes Marketing has been associated with the Pike's Peak International Hill Climb over the past 15 years, handling sponsorship marketing. . . . . . . . . The Vigil Rosary will be held on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at St. John Vianney Chapel on Balboa Island at 7:30 p.m. Services will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church, 2046 Mar Vista Drive, Newport Beach, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Virginia Barnes Memorial Fund, Hoag Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 6100, Newport Beach, California 92658; or, the USC Catholic Center, 3207 University Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90007. O'Connor Laguna Hills Mortuary, Directors, 25301 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Hills, CA. www.oconnormortuary.com (949)581-4300 Published in the Los Angeles Times on 5/28/2005.