Charles J. Barnes

Charles J Barnes, 67 (or as he said “was on the 28th or 30th anniversary of his 39th birthday”), died peacefully in his home in Celina TX on Thursday September 8, 2016. A Memorial service was held at The Christian Chapel; 1100 E. Frontier Pkwy in Prosper TX on September 15, 2016 at 6:30 pm, and officiated by Pastor Glen Gabbard. Another Memorial service will be held at the Bridge Church, 38801 Calistoga Dr., Murrieta, CA 92563 on October 1, 2016 at 2:00 pm and officiated by Pastor Zac Martin. Chuck’s ashes will be laid to rest in the San Diego Harbor on October 2nd in a private family ceremony. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the St. Jude Children’s hospital: www.stjude.org or the Paralyzed Veterans of America: www.supportveterans.org Chuck is preceded in death by his parents Guy Barnes and Gladyce Barnes. Chuck is survived by his wife of 19 years Claudia Barnes, his four daughters; Christina Joseph, Crystall Peterson, Jennifer Trzos, and Jessica Toscano; his son; Joshua Homer, his 7 grandsons; Jonathan Joseph, Christopher Joseph, Sawyer Peterson, Carter Peterson, Seth Homer, Micah Homer, Robert Trzos, Zachary Trzos, and Lucas Toscano; and his three granddaughters; Sara Trzos, Emma Trzos, and a baby-to-be granddaughter Homer. Chuck was adopted by his parents in Montrose CO, having been put up for adoption by his birth parents from Galway Bay Ireland. After High School Chuck briefly attended college before joining the Air Force Reserve. When the Air Force activated Chuck to active duty he decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and transfer to the Marine Corps. Chuck served with distinction for 6 years, including four tours in Vietnam with the Force 1 Recon (AKA: Big Red 1), and also some time as a Drill Instructor. Chuck also distinguished himself with several military awards including the Silver Star and Bronze Star. In 1975 Chuck began his career in Insurance Program Development; this after Graduating College (Western State, Gunnison CO) with a double major in Psychology and Art (and an emphasis in Education). Even though Chuck was a Marine he managed to become an accomplished sailor, having quite literally sailed off into the sunset for a two-year adventure around Mexico and the Caribbean. The poetry of “sailing off into the sunset” was not a unique event in Chucks life. If one were to title a book about his life it could be “What are the Odds”, having defied the odds many times. Chuck thanked God for the numerous times his life was spared, but there were also many other little things that defied any odds, like 7 Yahtzee’s in one game (this was a normal occurrence) or hitting 17 three times in a row on the Roulette Table (The same day he hit a Royal Flush on Video Poker)! This poetry overflowed into one of the things Chuck was best known for, his stories. Chuck would mesmerize an audience with his abundance of stories. They were funny and amazing and even though you may have heard them before, they were always captivating. Anyone who knew Chuck, knew that these stories would be shared over a coffee (or two, or three). If you didn’t know Chuck and happened to be in his presence in a coffee shop you would be a target to receive a free coffee and a free story. If you were a Police Officer, a Fire Fighter, or in the Military you would become a prime target for a free coffee and story. In October of 1997 Chuck married Claudia, and his daughters and Claudia’s children were adopted into each other’s hearts as family. Chuck loved Claudia deeply and could not believe the gift God had given him! With the many times Chuck defied the odds in his life he had felt like God had enabled this once again. A defining Bible Verse God has spoken over Chucks passing is Psalm 90:12: “So teach us to number our days, so that we may gain a heart of wisdom” Chuck truly had a heart of wisdom. He knew how precious life was and also how precious the lives of others were. He knew his days were numbered and he only had so long to let everyone know that he cared. He wanted others to know how important they were to him and he would say it and show it like today was his last day. Another verse God has spoken in his passing is Psalm 116:15: “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints”. Precious indeed is Chucks death to the LORD! And though we mourn, we rejoice that he is with The Father in heaven, and we remember a great man who lived every day with integrity, passion, and love!