Obituary of Craig David Barnes

Craig D. Barnes of Parker, Colorado died peacefully on February 21, 2016 surrounded by loved ones. He was 46 years old. Craig was born to David and Jill Barnes on October 10th, 1969 in Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire, England. When Craig was ten years old, the family moved to the United States and eventually settled in Hudson, Ohio. Craig was a graduate of Hudson High School’s class of 1987. As a young child, Craig was an avid soccer player and dreamed of playing for his favorite English Premier League team, Leeds United. While in high school, Craig found his true voice, singing and acting in school plays and choirs, although he started his acting career at age 8 in England with his first role as Joseph in “The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.” He pursued his passion at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1991. While attending Otterbein, Craig was a beloved brother of Pi Beta Sigma fraternity where he served multiple terms as pledge master. He was fiercely loyal to both his fraternity and his brothers. Upon graduation from university, Craig moved to Chicago and worked in various retail and restaurant establishments, making more friends and touching more lives as he went. In 2002, he moved to Denver, Colorado to work for his dad’s heating and cooling business. He was a consummate salesman, loved by all his co-workers and customers alike. Craig was so likeable it was often said he could sell ice to Eskimos! After his parents left Colorado in 2007, Craig eventually settled in Parker. At the apartment complex pool where he lived, he saw a young woman at the pool and was drawn to her immediately. Jody entered his life and proved to be his angel until death parted them. Although they never got to marry, Craig considered Jody and her sons his family. Craig loved football and was an avid Bronco fan (because lets face it, being a Browns fan is really no fun). Fortunately, he was able to see his beloved Broncos win the Super Bowl just weeks before he died. He will forever be remembered for his exuberant personality, his smile and contagious laugh, his big heart and the love he spread around. If you knew Craig, you couldn’t help but laugh. Craig’s life really cannot be summed up in a few words or paragraphs. He touched so many lives with a common thread; he loved, he laughed, he gave his heart and soul to everyone and he will be remembered always. He has left us too soon and our hearts are broken. Despite living in the USA for over 35 years, Craig was a Brit at heart; he did not take American citizenship and so he will be returning to England for one last trip Ilkley Moor. Craig is survived by his parents, Jill and David Barnes; his sister, Samantha Carabell (Chris), his nephew, Jack and niece, Maggie; his fiancée Jody and her sons Matthew and Ethan. He is preceded in death by his beloved uncle Don Russell; his grandparents Edgar and Nancy Barnes and Jack and Marie Creasy. The cremation took place on February 23, 2016. As was Craig’s wish, no formal services will be held. A private memorial service for Craig's family and close friends will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2016, 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church in Charlotte, NC. The family is grateful for all the condolences they have already received. They request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Matrix Institute on Addictions (www.matrixinstitute.org/donate) or The Denver Hospice (www.thedenverhospice.org) Service Information