Charles Franklin Barnes

Charles Franklin Barnes, 86, passed away on October 20, 2023. Born in Beaumont September 16, 1937 to Mildred Franklin and Charlie Ray Barnes, Charles was a lifelong resident of Vidor Texas.

He and his high school sweetheart, Bonnie Lee Thompson, were married March 31, 1956 and lived in the same house that Charles personally built for his family when he was just 18 years old. They were married for 61 years and had 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. His family meant the world to him.

Charles was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, faithfully serving in many church positions.

Charles was a welder by trade and worked building ships with Bethlehem Steele and later Tubal-Cain. He worked hard, but made sure to have fun, too. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Charles would often sit on his porch and find great joy in the simple pleasures of nature. He was a bit of an adventurer as he enjoyed getting on his motorcycle and going out for rides, both near and far. In fact, he and Bonnie traveled all over the United States and Canada on a motorcycle. They would camp in KOAs and he could tell you the best places to eat and the most scenic routes to travel all over North America. Charles was an amazing storyteller.

As he rejoins his sweetheart, Bonnie, Charles leaves behind his children, Charles Brandon Barnes & Sheila Wilson Barnes,

Leslie Alvin Barnes & Meredith Weeks Barnes, Brian Lee Barnes & Tracey Davidson Barnes, Charla Elizabeth Barnes Alldredge. His grandchildren are Brandon & Becca Barnes, Chase Barnes, Eric & Aimee Barnes, Ryne & Isabel Barnes, Joshua & Jessica Barnes, Michael Alldredge, Jacob & Tara Alldredge, Colleen & Jacob Mikesell, Samuel Barnes, and Sarah Barnes. The great-grandchildren include Brielle, Curtis, Reed, Linae, & Talia Barnes, Eliza & Henry Barnes, Rin & Fae Mikesell, and Oliver & Evelyn Alldredge.

Deeply loved, he will be missed by numerous friends and family.

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 24, from 6 - 8 pm at Memorial Funeral Home on Hwy 12 in Vidor, Texas. Funeral services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Hwy 105 in Vidor on Wednesday, October 25, at 10:00 am, with burial afterwards at the Williamson Cemetery.