Obituary of CHARLES GAYLE BARNETT

Charles Gayle (Charley) Barnett, age 86, of Westminster, Colorado, entered into eternal life with Jesus on Sunday, November 19, 2023. Charley was born in Chicago, Illinois to Rev. Gayle S. Barnett and Lillian Violet Wilson Barnett on January 10, 1937. He attended Carlinville High School and graduated in 1954. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Eastern Illinois University and a Master of Music Education degree from Northern Illinois University. Charley worked as a public school choral music teacher and church music director at several high schools and churches for over fifty-five years, most notably East Peoria Community High School, East Peoria, IL, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Peoria, IL, and Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church, Lakewood, CO. Charley was a caring and gentle man who had a great sense of humor and a song for everything. He loved his family above all else, had a deep faith in Jesus and loved teaching and sharing his musical gifts. He was most happy when surrounded by his immediate and extended family. Charley was a musician and teacher through and through and loved teaching high school choral music and serving as a church music director from 1959-2020. He was “Mr. B” to his students and they loved him because he cared deeply for them as people. He was always available for his students and was a treasured mentor and friend to many. Charley is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-two years, Charlotte Locke Booth Barnett; children Sheila Ruth Silden (Erik), Phillip Charles Barnett (Debbi), Cynthia Elizabeth Batka (Dave); grandchildren Rachael Batka, Katie Batka and Samuel Barnett (Elisa); nieces Kathy O’Dillon (Jim), Diana Blaine, Gini Fisher, Jenny Barnett-Gregg (Mike); nephews Ron Barnett (Laura), Dave Barnett, Tom Barnett and one cousin, James T. Page. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Gayle Simon Barnett and Lillian Violet Wilson Barnett, his sister Carol Helen Bell, and his brother, Rev. Curtis Wilson Barnett. Memorial donations may be made to the Charley Barnett Church Music Scholarship Fund in care of Redeemer Lutheran Church, 7755 Greenstone Trail, Ft. Collins, CO 80525. A memorial service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church (7755 Greenstone Trail, Ft. Collins, CO) on Friday, January 26, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Inurnment will follow at the Redeemer Columbarium. If you are unable to attend the service in person, we invite you to watch it by going to our website at redeemerconnect.com and clicking on the "Watch Live" button. Or, go directly to live.redeemerconnect.com.