PORTLAND — Oram “O.B.” Barnes passed away on Monday, June 23, 2025 at Maine Medical Center.

Born August 21, 1956 to Oram E. Barnes Sr and Mattie A. Barnes. When he was almost 10 he gained a sister, Beth. Oram grew up playing sports with friends and cousins in South Thomaston and Spruce Head. He then moved to Rockland in his teen years with his mom and sister. While in high school he was in chorus and loved to sing. He was selected to All State Chorus his senior year. Oram graduated from Rockland High School in 1974.

After graduation Oram was employed at Sprowl and Lash lumber, working alongside his grandfather while there. Oram loved building things and in his years, he was able to, he would often build furniture and doorsteps for the family home.

After leaving Sprowl and Lash he started his career at Knox County Regional Airport. He worked on the airport maintenance staff, and was often fixing equipment, and out late night plowing the runways in the winter months. Oram was a social guy and the people he worked with, and the occasional meeting a celebrity were perks of the job he loved.

He had numerous hobbies in his younger years. Softball, bowling, and golf were some of the things he enjoyed most. During the summer months after work you could find O.B. most likely at the Rockland Golf Course playing around with friends.

His other passion was coaching. O.B. started coaching pee wee football and little league baseball when his nephew Brian was old enough to play. Even after Brian aged out of the league, O.B. stayed. He became an executive member of the Coastal Pee Wee Football program and helped with game setup and other things as well as coach. While having no kids of his own, he would often say “They’re my kids” about the kids he coached.

After medical issues forced him to step away from coaching, Oram stayed upbeat and optimistic. While not on the sideline, he was never far away from it. He made as many of Brian’s High School games as possible.

An avid Gamer as well, Oram continued the hobby and got into online and computer gaming. This allowed him to make many new friends from all parts of the world.

When further health issues caused a relocation to the Portland area, he still stayed up beat. He resided first at Saint Joseph’s Rehab and Residence, and later Fallbrook Commons where he lived until his passing.

Oram was predeceased by his parents, Oram E Barnes Sr and Mattie A Barnes, as well as his sister, Beth A Barnes.

He is survived by his nephew, Brian Athearn, and wife Kelly, great nephew Colin Athearn; a brother-in-law, Raymond Athearn, as well as many cousins that he grew up with, and many close friends. He will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Oram’s name to the Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 21, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Burpee Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland, Maine.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Burpee Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home. To leave condolences to Oram’s family please visit their book of memories www.bchfh.com.