Obituary of Robert James Barnes, R.C.

Robert J. Barnes, R.C., Inter-Nationally renowned for his contribution to the performing arts and great humanitarian.Robert J. Barnes, R.C., passed away January 17, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The youngest son of John W. and Margaret Imhoff Barnes was born January 10, 1934 in Washburn, Woodford County, Illinois. He graduated from Washburn Township High School in 1952 and attended Illinois State University, Bradley University, University of Denver and Purdue University. He graduated from the American School of Beauty Culture in Chicago, Illinois. He also graduated from Caterpillar Tractor Company college training program. In 1955, he married Norene Davis and they had one daughter, Annette. The couple divorced in 1975.Barnes served in the United States Army Signal Corps and was in charge of the Emergency Network Radio Stations during the Korean Conflict. Barnes practiced Cosmetology in Illinois, Texas and Colorado. He was appointed to the Colorado State Board of Cosmetology by then Governor John Love. He served as President of the Denver Cosmetology Association and Treasurer of the Colorado Cosmetology Association. He was awarded the National Community Service Award by the Denver Chapter, State Chapter and National Association. Barnes retired from Cosmetology in 1971.Following his retirement, he became an insurance agent and broker, owning his own agency in Denver and Salida, Colorado. He was number one Nationally in Disability Income sales for Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company. Barnes was active as an Estate Planner and Financial adviser and planner.In 1973, Barnes purchased the Log Cabin Court in Salida, Colorado, which he operated until his health no longer permitted it. Barnes served on the Denver Public Schools Advisory Board. He was a member of Partners in Denver. Barnes was an advocate with the Alliance Against Domestic Abuse in Chaffee County and also served as President of the Board of Directors. Barnes served on the Board of Trustees of Central Christian Church, Orlando Florida and was their treasurer for three years. Barnes also was a member of the Republican Executive Committee of Orange County, Florida. He served as Treasurer and President of the Magnolia Woods Homeowner Association, Apopka, Florida. Barnes was a founding member of PFLAG International. He also served as President of The Hylton Chaffee Home for the Terminally Ill, Inc., a 501c3 Trust since it was founded in 1997. Barnes received his sixty year membership pin in the Masonic Lodge in 2017 and has been a member of the Scottish Rite Consistory and Al Kaly Shrine for over thirty seven years. He was also a member of The National Society of The Sons of The American Revolution.Barnes has been included in Marquis Who's Who in the West, Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World. His biography is also in the International Dictionary of Biographies, Cambridge, England. Barnes is published in (One Thousand Great Americans) International Biographical Center, Cambridge England. Barnes was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Salida and Colorado Springs, Colorado and Pikes Peak Metropolitan Community Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado. In his leisure time, barnes enjoyed genealogy, leather tooling, gardening and rock hunting. He was preceded in death by his foster son, Michael; his parents; his brother, John; sister, Elizabeth Feather. Barnes is survived by his daughter, Annette; grandson, Travis; and many friends, nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation, 5:00PM-7:00PM, Friday, January 31, 2020, The Springs Funeral Services, 3115 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909.Funeral Service, 11:00AM, Saturday, February 1, 2020, The Springs Funeral Services.Interment held at Linn Mount Vernon Cemetery, Washburn, Illinois.Rather than flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Robert's memory to Shriners Crippled Children Hospitals or Southern Colorado Aids Project. Events Visitation Friday, January 31, 2020 5:00PM - 7:00PM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855 Funeral Service Saturday, February 1, 2020 11:00AM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855