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DFW's Chris Barnes shining by himself and with others on the bowling lanes

Mark Miller's photo
Dallas Bowling Examiner

Whether he's living the bowling dream himself or helping others enjoy theirs, Double Oak's Chris Barnes has been striking gold in recent weeks.

It started in mid-April in Indianapolis when the former Flower Mound resident filled a Make-A-Wish dream of 6-year-old Milwaukee resident David Richards Jr. Richards, who suffers from Acute Lymphatic Leukemia and Brachioplexus, wanted to meet Barnes at a Professional Bowlers Association Tour event. Not only did the youth meet his hero at the PBA Dick Weber Playoffs, he also rolled a game with him and received a private lesson at Woodland Bowl. The family was flown to Indianapolis by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Then the next day, young David, his father, David Richards Sr.; mother Maria Richards; brothers Kyle Juczczak (age 15), Daniel Richards (age 4) and Derek Richards (age 4), plus a Make-A-Wish escort watched the event finals where Barnes placed third.

While Barnes didn't win the PBA Playoffs, his on-lanes prowess shined through last week when he earned two gold medals and one bronze in the Pan American Bowling Confederation Men's Championships in Guadalajara, Mexico.

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Barnes joined Bill O'Neill, Wes Mallott, Mike Fagan, Walter Ray Williams Jr. and Patrick Allen in capturing team gold and paired with O'Neill and Fagan to win trios. When he and O'Neill lost in the semifinals of the Masters competition, they shared the bronze medal.

Whether on the lanes, helping a Make-A-Wish dream come true or in front of the cameras, Chris Barnes has had a successful 2011.
Whether on the lanes, helping a Make-A-Wish dream come true or in front of the cameras, Chris Barnes has had a successful 2011.
Photo credit: 
Mark MIller

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, Dallas Bowling Examiner

Mark Miller is a freelance writer in Flower Mound, Texas. He worked for the United States Bowling Congress and its predecessors for more than 24 years. He is an authority on bowling past and present having been called the "Fountain of Bowling Knowledge." He also helped establish the new...

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