Pernel George Barnett

Pernel George Barnett, 60 year resident of Newport Beach, and world-wide known orchid hybridizer died after a brief illness at Hoag Hospital on Sunday, July 27th surrounded by his family.

Pernel moved to Orange at the age of one with his family from Mesa, AZ. He attended Orange schools. He met his wife of 56 years on the beach in Laguna. The couple married in 1951 and built their home in Newport Heights where they lived for 56 years.

Pernel graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Long Island, NY in the top 10% of his class of 1944, with a Bachelor of Science Degree and a reserve commission of Lt. (jg) USNR. He sailed as 3rd Mate in the US Merchant Marine during World War II.

While in the South Pacific, he became enamored of the wild orchids growing in trees near ports and returned home after the war to begin a collection in a 9’ x12’ greenhouse with his mother in Newport Heights. Later he constructed a 24’ x 42’ greenhouse on his lot in Newport Heights with eventually 2,500 plants in the collection. He began a breeding program of cattleya orchids and eventually received 250 American Orchid Society awards throughout the years. The only grower ever to receive four First Class Certificates for his cattleyas. He wrote articles and presented talks throughout California.

Real Estate Development in the early 1970’s occupied his time while he and his wife raised three children.

He is survived by wife, Mary Ann; his son, Michael Pernel Harry Barnett; daughters, Dr. Christine Sells, and Teresa Yvonne Marie Barnett; and two grandchildren, Lael Eve Sells, and James Andrew Sells.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 3, 2008 from 2-5 p.m.with a Rosary & Vigil Service following from 5-6 p.m. at Pacific View Memorial Park, 3500 Pacific View Drive, Corona del Mar. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joachim Catholic Church, 1964 Orange Ave., Costa Mesa on Monday, August 4 at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Holy Sepulcher Catholic Cemetery in Orange.

Contributions in Pernel’s memory, may be made to the Hoag Heart Institute, and Hoag Cancer Center.