Sad loss of one of our fellow BCA members.

[Centurion]

Roger, thank you so much for the link and your comments.

I have received a reply from Charles' secretary:

He was such an awesome man, I am still trying to accept that he is gone. I will miss being a part of his world and the things that he held such passion for, most importantly, his cars. You all were so important in making him smile every day. Charitable contributions can be made to the Four States Auto Museum here in Texarkana or to his lifelong church, Beech Street First Baptist Church.

The Four States Auto Museum is the same as the Tex-Ark Museum mentioned above. Here is the link, with specific instructions on making tax deductible contributions:

Four States Auto Museum - Home

[RICK YOUNG]

I am truly saddened by the news of the loss of Charles.
The Buick & Classic Car Community will miss this great gentleman.
A symbolic hoist of the Silver Landau Cup to toast Charles.

God's comfort to his family and friends.

Rick & Janet Young

[buick5563]

A symbolic hoist of the Silver Landau Cup to toast Charles.

To Charles...

[BJM]

Mr. Barnettes impact was furthered by this forum. I don't know any other member, thank goodness, that was active on this forum and then passed away.

That is his legacy in my small world. That I was introduced to him through this forum where maybe in a different generation or a different time in our hobby, we would not have known each other.

[MrEarl]

To you Charles,




So long my friend, thanks for all the poetic words about the Landau. We shared a love, you, Bob and I, for the most fabulous Motorama car ever. I'm smiling through my tears, as I never saw you without a smile on your face. Gods speed my friend.

[Thriller]

I had the pleasure of meeting Charles in Colorado Springs. If you thought his posts were enthusiastic, well, they definitely came from the man as he was brimming with life.

I got another opportunity to spend some online time with him when he bought Copper Top, since it was originally purchased here in Winnipeg. I wound up learning a bit of Winnipeg history and the dealership history. Who can forget how excited he was about having a unique Canadian Buick colour combination on that car that wasn't available in the USA?

In some respects, I must admit I thought of him as a bit of an odd duck, but he never had anything remotely hurtful to say and, as previously mentioned, he was so full of enthusiasm and vitality for life. I have great respect and admiration for traits like that.

If Copper Top doesn't go into the museum, I'd be honoured to be first in line for it between its local history and the reminder of the excitement of a man with a passion for the car.

[Centurion]

Here's a bit of background regarding Charles and his 1959 Invicta "Copper Top".

When Charles was in the fourth grade during the 1958/1959 school year, his father arrived after school one day to pick Charles up in the family's new 1959 Invicta 4-door hardtop, finished in solid Arctic White with Copper Glow interior.

Charles dug up an old photo of his younger brother and the family cat on the '59 Invicta:



When I first began to correspond with Charles, he shared his fond memories of the old '59 Buick. His father traveled extensively, and the Buick had racked up some 200,000 miles by 1965. His father replaced the car with a smaller '65 Pontiac Tempest, but always missed the '59 Buick. The last time the '59 Buick was spotted, its next owner zoomed past the Barnettes' Tempest at a high rate of speed on the Interstate, and vanished into the distance.

When Charles learned of our '59 Buick 50th anniversary event in Colorado Springs, he was eager to join us and recapture memories of his family's '59. Charles told me that I would recognize him by his snake skin cowboy boots, and, in fact, it was impossible to miss him. All of us who met Charles could not help but be impressed by his smile, his joyful spirit, his appetite for fun, and his unbridled enthusiasm. He brought all sorts of wonderful '59 Buick models and memorabilia to display at our gathering, and led those gathered around him in a chorus of the old Medallion's hit -- "Buick '59".

Charles was particularly eager to sit in Tom and Sally Liddy's Invicta, with the same Copper Glow interior and clear plastic seat covers he remembered from his dad's '59. One of my fondest memories is that Charles and I took my '59 Buick out for a drive on the freeway, with Charles in the driver's seat and experiencing a '59 Buick on the road.

Charles commissioned professional model builder (and '59 Buick owner) Paul Hettick to replicate his family's old '59 Buick in 1/25-scale. Paul even experimented with several techniques to make the Copper Glow Invicta interior appear to have clear plastic seat covers.



When an Arctic White Invicta 4-door hardtop was offered on Ebay, equipped with the Copper Glow interior and the Canada-only Copper Glow roof treatment, Charles and I discussed that it was unlikely that another nice '59 Buick would turn up that so closely matched his family's former Invicta. Charles was thrilled to acquire and enjoy his beloved "Copper Top", and was able to take his ailing father for a few rides in the Buick before his death.

David Temple shot a few photos last year of "Copper Top", and we included one in our 2011 '59 Buick calendar.

[JohnD1956]

What a fine automobile. You guys were really lucky to have had a chance to meet him personally. Sure makes the breakfast forums at the Nationals that much more important.

[Thriller]

Brian - I've been trying to recall what the actual colour was...some sort of Gold if I remember.

[Centurion]

Derek, in Canada, "Copper Glow" was called "Gothic Gold Metallic". I understand that the Canada color names were those used in the USA on 1959 Chevrolets.

[progoofoff]

Yes, truly a shock. I had never met Charles but spent quite a bit of time on the phone and emails discussing the Landau. He was a great help in the research of the car and had it not been for him, the wheel covers and bar set would have never been reunited with the Landau. I, for one, will make a generous contribution to the museum in Texarkana. Very sad day.

Bob Coker

[Roger Booth]

Greetings from Texarkana,
In reading the post I can tell all of you felt the same was about Charles Decker Barnette as we do here in Texarkana. He worked constantly putting together programs for the monthly meetings, raising funds, going before the city board in our behalf so on and so on. He was at just about every board meeting we had for years. What a great guy. I think donations to the museum or car club will please him greatly!
Thanks for your part in his life!
Roger Booth

[TxBuicks]

Pete Phillips and I went to Texarkana once to see a car for sale. Charles met us there driving Copper Top. It was the highlight of the trip, as the car for sale wasn't all that. We took these pictures of Copper Top. It was mostly original and a spectacular Buick. Charles loved it.

[MrEarl]

What a blessing it was that he was able to enjoy that magnificent car for the time that he did.

[Roger Booth]

Here is the link to the funeral home where the family will see all your comments...

Texarkana Funeral Home: Obituaries

thanks, Roger

[MrEarl]

Sure makes the breakfast forums at the Nationals that much more important.

so right you are JD.

Only 62 years old.

[NTX5467]

As I was thinking today . . . which can be dangerous, sometimes . . . it struck me that, with respect to the 1954 Buick Landau MotoRama show car, that Mr. Barnette accomplished some very outstanding and "can't do that" things. First he found where the car was and then it appeared in Texarkana at the museum. Then, the beverage service kit "appeared" and was re-united with the car. Then, seems like there was something about the tire/wheel package that he orchestrated getting "more correct" for it, too. Some might consider these "random coincidences" which all seemed to happen at the same, general time. Or it, upon further pondering, have been "destiny", or that other term, "re-destined". Which ever way you might desire to look at it, it was amazing that he was able to orchestrate some of these things and rejoice in the additional things which happened, too.

The "Copper Top Affair" might be considered in similar terms, too. Closest thing to a favorite Buick of his childhood and family's history.

We in the Buick Family can also rejoice that Mr. Barnette made so many of us aware of the 1954 Buick Landau. Otherwise, it would have just been pictures on a page in a book, but he brought it to life, "in the flesh", so to speak. Although the 1954 Buick Landau might have had a storied existence before Mr. Barnette orchestrated its appearance in Texarkana, I feel that he might have helped things along in the car now having a new "custodian", due to his efforts to have others see and enjoy the car.

Rest In Peace, Mr. Barnette. Thanks for all that you've done for the vehicle hobby and everybody who has known or known of you in your life!

Regards,
Willis Bell 20811

[buick840]

What a wonderful place this Forum is
Even though many (including myself) had not met Charles, his participation here and contributions to this Forum made you felt like you knew him.
His posts here were always full of such passion and enthusiasm and will be sadly missed.

[MrEarl]

Does he look happy here or ???

Note: sorry this is the largest copy I have. If anyone knows where a larger one may exist I'd like to have one.

[Barney Eaton]

We have passed thru Texarkana several times but always said "maybe we will have more time the next trip to stop" it now appears there will not be a next time.

Last night we stayed in Texarkana on our way home from the Ohio BDE tour and remembered Charles with a toast.

This is one more reminder that we best do those thing now, as there may not be a later chance.

[Pete Phillips]

The Museum is just across the street from that four-story brick warehouse in the first photo in Roy's post, showing the '59 Buick. The warehouse is part of the historic Buhrmann-Pharr (hope I spelled that right) complex in Texarkana, Arkansas, circa 1910 I would guess. They were a regional wholesale hardware company which finally closed a few years ago, thanks to Home Depot and Lowe's. The office portion of the complex has been beautifully restored into urban loft apartments, yet the original architecture and wonderful Buhrmann-Pharr neon sign have been preserved on the building (can you tell I'm a former city planner?!). The only reason I mention this, is to point out that the museum is in a wonderful old, industrial/commercial neighborhood of Texarkana that needs all the encouragement it can get, to keep the area revitalized. The Buhrmann-Pharr complex and the Tex-Ark Museum are the two wonderful highlights of that older neighborhood. If I lived there, I would be tooting my horn for these two places every chance I could get.
Pete Phillips

[Roger Booth]

We never miss the opportunity Pete!
Roger

[Roger Booth]

Just got back from Charles Decker Barnette's service. Hundreds of people were there from all parts of his life. Pastor Craig Jenkins quoted comments from Facebook and the AACA forums that were left in memory of Decker. We had a tremendous turn out of antique automobiles for the trip from the church to the grave site. Deckers 4 brothers had words and encouragement for all. A great service indeed! Praise the lord and we will see you on the other side some day...

[NTX5467]

Thanks for the information, Mr. Booth.

NTX5467

[DinoBob]

I am familiar with his research into Cadillac Presidential Limousines. He created what was one of the most fascinating posts in the history of the CLC forum, on this subject. The hobby has lost a friend indeed.