Shelby Eugene Barnes

Shelby Barnes, Sr. was born in Busby, Texas, Sept. 21, 1928 and passed away May 3, 2022, at the age of 93. He attended local schools there and joined the Air Force for a 5 year tour. He married Henrietta Dowler. They were later divorced. After the Air Force, Shelby graduated cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Tulane University, New Orleans, with a degree in economics.

Shelby worked for IBM in New Orleans, rising through the ranks there, and was promoted to Business Manager at the IBM plant in Boulder. He married his wife Betty in Boulder. After early IBM Retirement, Shelby and his wife, Betty, began a retail career, owning and operating Wallace Vacuum and Sewing in Boulder for over 40 years. In addition, he owned a number of small businesses in Boulder, Vail, Ft. Collins, and Denver.

Shelby was a longtime member of Boulder Rotary and a member of St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Littleton, Colorado.

He is survived by his wife Betty, sons Gary Barnes, Santa Clara, Calif, Shelby Barnes, Jr. of Amston, Conn, Jeff Steele of Seattle, and daughter Elizabeth (Becky) of Littleton, 4 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. Services are Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at Crist Mortuary, 3395 Penrose Pl, Boulder, at 11:00 AM. Lunch to follow service. Interment will be later at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Littleton, CO.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cristmortuary.com for the BARNES family.