Donald C. Barnett | Obituaries

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Donald C. Barnett died peacefully in Edmond, Oklahoma on June 16, 2021 – exactly 91 years after his birth in San Fernando, California to Charles and Elizabeth (Wilhour) Barnett.

When Don was three years old his family moved to a farm near Muleshoe, Texas. He and his younger siblings, Richard, Barbara (Puckett) and Diana (Stewart), all attend Muleshoe schools.

Don helped on the family farm while growing up. He loved hunting, fishing and various sports, including football and boxing; he was a Golden Gloves middleweight champion for the Lubbock district in 1947. After graduation he attended Abilene Christian College for two years, where he met Joy McKnight from Hale Center, Texas. They married in 1949.

After two successful years growing cotton near Hale Center, Texas, the couple used their savings to buy a dairy in the Missouri Ozark near Mt. Grove and Cabool. Don started a series of sales jobs, selling encyclopedias, insurance, Bibles and cars – often at the same time. He decided to re -enroll in college courses, and in time he became a certified Chamber of Commerce Manager.

The family, which now includes four children, moved to Neosho, Missouri when Don was offered a position as chamber manager there. Just six months later, Joy died of a brain aneurysm. With the support of relatives, friends and the community, the family worked to recover from this scourge.

In 1962 Don married Carolyn Sweet of Neosho, who immediately became a wife and mother to four children. The family moved to Hanford in 1966, where Don became the first executive director of the newly created Kings County Economic Development Commission. He helped create a lot of jobs by guiding the development of industrial parks within Kings County, then recruiting businesses to move their manufacturing to Hanford, Lemoore, Corcoran and Avenal. He has also been instrumental in helping existing businesses expand. Before he retired he helped establish the non-profit Crown Development Corporation to continue its focus on industry growth in the province. This work is now being conducted by the Kings County Economic Development Corporation (Kings EDC).

After retiring from Kings County, Don became a real estate broker, focusing on industrial and commercial properties.

Don was first a deacon and then an elder at Hanford Church of Christ, and was recognized as someone who rose above and beyond to help those in need. He was a dedicated family man who encouraged his children to do the best they could in whatever they chose to pursue in life. Don helped launch Valley Christian Home and Western Christian School to help seniors and children.

He became interested in the missionary work being done by the Church of Christ in Ghana, West Africa. He and Carolyn traveled to Ghana to see for themselves the need, and subsequently funded several dormitory -style homes for orphans in the Village of Hope. He also supported the West Africa Missions in drilling much -needed water.

In July 2004, Carolyn died of cancer. A year later Don married Marita McKnight Wood, sister of his first wife Joy. Rete and his wife, Joe, remained close to Don, Carolyn and children throughout the year, until Joe died in 2003. Don and Rete soon moved to Edmond, Oklahoma where they both have children. who live nearby. They enjoyed 16 fun years traveling, spending time with friends and family, and quiet times together before he passed away.

In addition to his wife, Marita, Don is survived by a sister, Diana Stewart of Canyon Lake, TX; his children and their spouses, Jerry and Hilda Barnett of Tigard, O, Clay and Toni Barnett of San Miguel, CA, Jeannine and Dean Rucker of Lubbock, TX and David and Teri Barnett of Edmond, OK; 10 grandchildren; 19 great -grandchildren; his foster son, Victor Cleveland and his family; and many nephews and their ancestors. His ashes will be laid to rest at a family plot in Neosho, Missouri in August.

Those wishing to honor Don’s memory are invited to help his family drill a water well in his honor in Ghana, West Africa. More information and a link to donate can be found at www.gwam.org/don-barnett-legacy-well-fundraiser.

To plant a tree in memory of Donald Barnett as a living tribute, please visit the Tribute Store.

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