Harlan Hodges Barnett

Harlan Hodges “Barney” Barnett was born in Blair, Oklahoma, to Wyatt Hodges Barnett and Inez Vinora Farr on May 03,1927. He was 97 years old, and would always say, “I’m damn near 100”! As a child he lived in Pecos, Texas, Bakersfield Ca, Hanford Ca, Yakima, Washington and finally San Francisco as a teenager. His Mother Inez and his Aunt Maralee (affectionally known as Aunt Bill) opened a successful dress shop on Castro St in San Francisco. He attended Mission High School and quit school as a senior a semester early to join the Merchant Marines as a “Seaman”. His first voyage was to Alaska, on the SS Mojave and it lasted 6 weeks. His second trip was to Guam on the SS Flying Arrow, a new Cargo ship, and he was promoted to “Able Bodied Seaman”. His third and Final trip was to China. Upon returning, his ship was sold, and he entered San Francisco City College and received his High School Diploma along with 1 college credit. At 19, about to be drafted, he joined the Army and became attached to the 11th Airborne Div., where he earned his parachute and glider wings. He was one of the very few soldiers that earned both Parachute and Glider Wings. He was very proud to be a World War 2 Veteran. After the service, he sold TV’s in San Francisco on Polk St working for .75 cents an hour. In 1953, He married Virginia “Jeannie” Avila, and had 3 children, Jeff, Robin and Sherri. While living in Tulare Ca, he became a City Councilman at the age of 38. In the late 60’s he moved the family to Ben Lomond. Jeannie and Barney divorced, and he married Audrey Martin Quehl in 1971. Audrey and Barney met on a blind date and were married 53 years. Audrey preceded him in death on December 11, 2024. Audrey had 3 girls, and Barney had 1 boy and 2 girls, and the “Brady Bunch” was established. Barney became a Realtor in the late 70’s at the encouragement of his friend Harry Murray whom he met while both were serving on a Jury in Santa Cruz. Barney started at Emmette Gatewood Realtors, moved to Fox and Carskadon and ended his long career with Alain Pinel Realtors in Los Gatos. For many years he worked as the Weekend Manager for his son Jeff at Alain Pinel until he retired in 2018 at the age of 91. He and his wife Audrey, traveled all over the United States in their little red Alfa Romeo convertible. Audrey would not fly, but that didn’t slow them down. They traveled to Baja, had a vacation home in Cathedral City, and visited Grandkids in Oregon. They both loved boating and had a boat at Jack London Square called The Massive Action. Many fun family trips were on that boat. They also belonged to the Los Gatos Yacht Club. In October 2018, Audrey and Barney moved to Dominican Oaks where they were living when they both passed. Barney was known as Harlan, at Dominican Oaks. After 90 years, he decided to use his birth name. Harlan was preceded in Death by his wife Audrey, his Mother Inez, his Father Wyatt, his Stepfather Vernon Campbell, and his Daughter Sherri. He is survived by his son, Jeff Barnett (Kari), his daughters Robin De Alvarez (Hal), Susan Barraza, Kim Morris (Miles) and Lindsey Ryan (Michael). His grandchildren Corey Witbeck (Heather), Brandon Barnett, Jaydon Barnett, Shauna Walters, Audrey Davis (Drew), Marion Morris, Ben Lackey (Candice), Scott De Alvarez (Jackie), Dawn De Alvarez, Hannah Ryan and Colburn Ryan. He also had 12 Great Grandchildren. Harlan was a member of E Clampus Vitas Chief Truckee Chapter and the Masons. Services will be at Pacific Garden Chapel on Feb 7 at 11am, Burial to follow at Soquel Cemetery with Military Honors next to his daughter Sherri. The Family would like to thank the caregivers at Dominican Oaks Assisted Living, for their love and attention to our parents. A special Thank you to Marci Gangloff, who called dad her “Honey”, we couldn’t have done it without you. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wounded Warriors, Disabled American Veterans, Hospice of Santa Cruz or a Charity of your choice.