BAKERSFIELD, CA -- A memorial service is set for Sunday for long-time Bakersfield physician Marion C. Barnard. Known to his friends simply as 'MC', Doctor Barnard died Thursday after a three-month battle with lymphoma.
He graduated from Loma Linda University in 1972 and started his medical practice at age 24. M.C. Barnard was widely respected in the local medical community for his compassion for the patient. Loved ones say he never denied care to someone who couldn't pay.
In the late 70's country music legend Merle Haggard asked Barnard to be his personal physician. "Then one day Merle walked up to M.C. and told him he wanted him to be his doctor, because of his demeanor and the way he treated his patients," says lifetime partner Belinda Harms.
"He was passionate about USC football, he was passionate about country music, his medicine but most of all he was passionate about caring for people," says friend Jim Luff.
Merle Haggard thought so much of M.C. Barnard, he threw him a private concert at Fishlips five years ago for his sixtieth birthday.
A memorial service for Marion C. Barnard is set for 3:00p.m. Sunday at Calvary Bible Church with a wake to follow at the Elk's Club on 30th Street in Bakersfield. The public is invited to attend.
He graduated from Loma Linda University in 1972 and started his medical practice at age 24. M.C. Barnard was widely respected in the local medical community for his compassion for the patient. Loved ones say he never denied care to someone who couldn't pay.
In the late 70's country music legend Merle Haggard asked Barnard to be his personal physician. "Then one day Merle walked up to M.C. and told him he wanted him to be his doctor, because of his demeanor and the way he treated his patients," says lifetime partner Belinda Harms.
"He was passionate about USC football, he was passionate about country music, his medicine but most of all he was passionate about caring for people," says friend Jim Luff.
Merle Haggard thought so much of M.C. Barnard, he threw him a private concert at Fishlips five years ago for his sixtieth birthday.
A memorial service for Marion C. Barnard is set for 3:00p.m. Sunday at Calvary Bible Church with a wake to follow at the Elk's Club on 30th Street in Bakersfield. The public is invited to attend.