It is with extreme sorrow the family of Charles Barnes, age 84, announce his passing on December 9, 2018. Charles has been a longtime resident of Colorado Springs since 1972.
He was born April 6, 1934 in Wayne County, NC to James Madison Barnes and Ada Barnes (Langley), who are both deceased. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Ms. “Jo” Barnes (Tymkiw); his daughter; Ms. Charlene Gates (Barnes); four grandchildren: Kent Gates, Chad Barnes-Banks, Andrea Reynolds, and Nicholas Gates; four great-grandchildren; and family and friends in North Carolina, as well as Canadians related to Jo in the Alberta and Manitoba provinces.
Charles joined the US Army at the young age of 17 and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer in 1972. His service included two conflicts, Korea and Vietnam, other assignments at Fort Bragg as a Master Parachutist training the original Golden Knights and jumping for JFK’s inauguration in 1961. Other assignments included Fort Meade MD and Fort Wainwright, Alaska and along the way he earned three Bronze Stars as well as various other citations and commendations. Upon retiring from the Army, he moved from Fort Wainwright, AK to Colorado Springs, CO. The love of Alaska beckoned him back as a Civil Engineer working for Raytheon and General Electric at Dew line sites in Northern Canada and AK while Jo, an LPN, maintained the home front in CO.
Upon his retirement in 1996, he devoted his time to his family, grandchildren and friends, fishing, gambling and enjoying his cabin in Lake George, CO. His southern charm and warm heart will be missed.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80910 at 2PM, Friday, December 14, 2018.
Donations in Charles Barnes name may be made to the Teller County Sheriffs Office, 11400 US Highway 24, Divide, CO 80814.