Harl Gilbert Barnett
Harl Gilbert Barnett, 98, of Garfield, died Dec. 3, 2020, in Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville.
He was born Jan. 6, 1922, in Kuttawa, Ken., to Harl Gresham Barnett and Violet Gertrude Rogers Barnett. He grew up during the Great Depression remembering going to town with his father when gold and silver were being hauled out of banks and illegal to own. He joined the Army and fought in World War ll helping pull soldiers off the field in Iwo Jima.
Returning home he married Loretta and eventually moved to Arizona landing in the “radio business” in sales and announcing which he loved. He met Marty Robbins early in his career allowing him to sing live in the radio studio. He brought his family back to Kentucky in the early ’60s and was a successful entrepreneur owning three restaurants, working at WCBL and purchasing the local Tribune Democrat newspaper and merging it with the Marshall County Courier. He later sold the Tribune Courier and operated a paddlewheel sightseeing boat on Kentucky Lake. He later returned to WCBL and worked until he retired at age 86. He went to live with family (Geoff and family) on their farm in Arkansas for the last five years. Not afraid to start a new profession and a mentor to many, he had an influence on not only his family but those around him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Duane Barnett.
Survivors are three children, Geoff Barnett (Sheri) of Garfield, Brenda Colburn (Marty) of Calvert City, Ken., and Marsha Morris (Phillip) of Buchanon, Tenn.; grandchildren, Sara Grace (Ben) of Garfield, Andrew Barnett (Kelsey) of De Leon Springs, Fla., Austin Barnett (Brianna) of Rogers, Hannah Barnett, Sophia Barnett, Chloe Barnett and Zachary Barnett, all of Garfield, Todd Havercamp; great-grandchildren, Olivia, Sammy, Loretta, Joanna, Adalyn, Caroline, Victoria and Gregory.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, in Sisco Funeral Chapel in Pea Ridge.
Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome.net.