Charles W. "Chuck" Barnhart, 94, a lifetime resident of East Wenatchee, WA recently residing in Prescott, AZ, died on Monday, November 13, 2006.
He was born on September 17, 1912, in the Bailey house in East Wenatchee, where Third Street SE crosses Rock Island Road, to Albert M. and Carrie V. (Eller) Barnhart. After living a brief time in Layton, CA while the family orchard further down Rock Island Road reached bearing stage, Chuck attended the East Wenatchee School through the eighth grade. He joined the "bridge walkers" to complete high school at Wenatchee, graduating with the class of 1933. It took him several years to complete high school, because he dropped out periodically to work to provide additional income for the family. He was raised a member of the Church of the Brethren. The first Barnharts to come to the United States from Europe in the mid-1700's were German Baptist Brethren. The Barnhart family migrated from Pennsylvania to Virginia to Kansas to Indiana to North Dakota, and eventually settled in the Wenatchee Valley. Chuck was baptized in the Brethren Church at the northwest corner of Cascade and 29th Street NW in East Wenatchee. He married his high school sweetheart, Josephine Johnson, on June 13, 1936. She lived in Wenatchee, and their courting consisted of his walking the three miles to Wenatchee almost every evening to see her, then walking back home again afterward. Four years later, their son Ed was born, and four years after that, another son, Neil. During the Depression, Chuck worked at anything he could find to put food on the table, including leasing orchards, digging irrigation ditches, unloading gondola cars of coal by shovel, and hand-picking coddling moths off apple trees. He also helped with concrete work done by Barnhart Concrete Workers, consisting of his father and his uncle Tom.
His first steady job, though seasonal, was with Wilmeroth Cold Storage as a fruit warehouseman, making $9 a week for six ten-hour days. Shortly after that, Roy Tedford offered him a year-around job at the Northern Fruit Company. Being an honorable man, Chuck asked Mr. Wilmeroth what he would do, and his boss told him to go for the full-time job at the Northern. Chuck ultimately worked for three generations of Tedfords--Roy, Rex, and Duane--until shortly after Duane's untimely death in an airplane crash, for a total of 33 years. He started as a warehouseman and ended his long career at the Northern Fruit Company in 1972, as a field man and fruit buyer. During his tenure at the Northern, when winter idled the regular crew and laid off the others, Chuck took several of the regulars, and over several years, built 26 homes in the Pear Cot Addition off Grant Road in East Wenatchee for the Tedfords, who owned the pear and apricot orchard which they subdivided and developed. In addition to building his home on Rock Island Road, he also built two rental houses of his own, each to help finance the college education of one of his boys. During the 1950's, when Eastmont High School was being formed, he designed and built risers for the band room. He also headed a fundraising drive to provide uniforms for the band. As he visited the growers and others, he got out his list of donors, with his name on top, and asked them if they were willing to pay for a full uniform or half. Most, seeing his name on top of the list did one or the other. The Charles W. Barnhart Inspirational Award was given to an outstanding band member each year at Eastmont High School for many years. In retirement, Chuck was an avid gardener, maintaining a large, weedless garden year after year. He always prided himself in working longer and harder and faster than anyone else. He was a good example to his sons and others.
He is survived by two brothers, Robert of Pahrump, NV and Floyd OF Grass Valley, CA; one sister, Betty Morris of La Verne, CA; two sons, Edward (wife, Rachel), a full-time RVer, and Neil (wife, JoLynne) of Prescott Valley, AZ; four grandchildren, Scott Barnhart, Heather Otey, Robbin Lee, and Eric Keane. He had ten great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jo, in May of this year; one brother, Russell; and one sister, Gladys (Garot).
At his request, there will be no service. Inurnment at Evergreen Memorial Park in East Wenatchee will take place in the spring. Those wishing to make memorials may consider contributing to the Eastmont High School Band or a charity of their choice.
He was born on September 17, 1912, in the Bailey house in East Wenatchee, where Third Street SE crosses Rock Island Road, to Albert M. and Carrie V. (Eller) Barnhart. After living a brief time in Layton, CA while the family orchard further down Rock Island Road reached bearing stage, Chuck attended the East Wenatchee School through the eighth grade. He joined the "bridge walkers" to complete high school at Wenatchee, graduating with the class of 1933. It took him several years to complete high school, because he dropped out periodically to work to provide additional income for the family. He was raised a member of the Church of the Brethren. The first Barnharts to come to the United States from Europe in the mid-1700's were German Baptist Brethren. The Barnhart family migrated from Pennsylvania to Virginia to Kansas to Indiana to North Dakota, and eventually settled in the Wenatchee Valley. Chuck was baptized in the Brethren Church at the northwest corner of Cascade and 29th Street NW in East Wenatchee. He married his high school sweetheart, Josephine Johnson, on June 13, 1936. She lived in Wenatchee, and their courting consisted of his walking the three miles to Wenatchee almost every evening to see her, then walking back home again afterward. Four years later, their son Ed was born, and four years after that, another son, Neil. During the Depression, Chuck worked at anything he could find to put food on the table, including leasing orchards, digging irrigation ditches, unloading gondola cars of coal by shovel, and hand-picking coddling moths off apple trees. He also helped with concrete work done by Barnhart Concrete Workers, consisting of his father and his uncle Tom.
His first steady job, though seasonal, was with Wilmeroth Cold Storage as a fruit warehouseman, making $9 a week for six ten-hour days. Shortly after that, Roy Tedford offered him a year-around job at the Northern Fruit Company. Being an honorable man, Chuck asked Mr. Wilmeroth what he would do, and his boss told him to go for the full-time job at the Northern. Chuck ultimately worked for three generations of Tedfords--Roy, Rex, and Duane--until shortly after Duane's untimely death in an airplane crash, for a total of 33 years. He started as a warehouseman and ended his long career at the Northern Fruit Company in 1972, as a field man and fruit buyer. During his tenure at the Northern, when winter idled the regular crew and laid off the others, Chuck took several of the regulars, and over several years, built 26 homes in the Pear Cot Addition off Grant Road in East Wenatchee for the Tedfords, who owned the pear and apricot orchard which they subdivided and developed. In addition to building his home on Rock Island Road, he also built two rental houses of his own, each to help finance the college education of one of his boys. During the 1950's, when Eastmont High School was being formed, he designed and built risers for the band room. He also headed a fundraising drive to provide uniforms for the band. As he visited the growers and others, he got out his list of donors, with his name on top, and asked them if they were willing to pay for a full uniform or half. Most, seeing his name on top of the list did one or the other. The Charles W. Barnhart Inspirational Award was given to an outstanding band member each year at Eastmont High School for many years. In retirement, Chuck was an avid gardener, maintaining a large, weedless garden year after year. He always prided himself in working longer and harder and faster than anyone else. He was a good example to his sons and others.
He is survived by two brothers, Robert of Pahrump, NV and Floyd OF Grass Valley, CA; one sister, Betty Morris of La Verne, CA; two sons, Edward (wife, Rachel), a full-time RVer, and Neil (wife, JoLynne) of Prescott Valley, AZ; four grandchildren, Scott Barnhart, Heather Otey, Robbin Lee, and Eric Keane. He had ten great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jo, in May of this year; one brother, Russell; and one sister, Gladys (Garot).
At his request, there will be no service. Inurnment at Evergreen Memorial Park in East Wenatchee will take place in the spring. Those wishing to make memorials may consider contributing to the Eastmont High School Band or a charity of their choice.
Charles W. "Chuck" Barnhart, 94, a lifetime resident of East Wenatchee, WA recently residing in Prescott, AZ, died on Monday, November 13, 2006.
He was born on September 17, 1912, in the Bailey house in East Wenatchee, where Third Street SE crosses Rock Island Road, to Albert M. and Carrie V. (Eller) Barnhart. After living a brief time in Layton, CA while the family orchard further down Rock Island Road reached bearing stage, Chuck attended the East Wenatchee School through the eighth grade. He joined the "bridge walkers" to complete high school at Wenatchee, graduating with the class of 1933. It took him several years to complete high school, because he dropped out periodically to work to provide additional income for the family. He was raised a member of the Church of the Brethren. The first Barnharts to come to the United States from Europe in the mid-1700's were German Baptist Brethren. The Barnhart family migrated from Pennsylvania to Virginia to Kansas to Indiana to North Dakota, and eventually settled in the Wenatchee Valley. Chuck was baptized in the Brethren Church at the northwest corner of Cascade and 29th Street NW in East Wenatchee. He married his high school sweetheart, Josephine Johnson, on June 13, 1936. She lived in Wenatchee, and their courting consisted of his walking the three miles to Wenatchee almost every evening to see her, then walking back home again afterward. Four years later, their son Ed was born, and four years after that, another son, Neil. During the Depression, Chuck worked at anything he could find to put food on the table, including leasing orchards, digging irrigation ditches, unloading gondola cars of coal by shovel, and hand-picking coddling moths off apple trees. He also helped with concrete work done by Barnhart Concrete Workers, consisting of his father and his uncle Tom.
His first steady job, though seasonal, was with Wilmeroth Cold Storage as a fruit warehouseman, making $9 a week for six ten-hour days. Shortly after that, Roy Tedford offered him a year-around job at the Northern Fruit Company. Being an honorable man, Chuck asked Mr. Wilmeroth what he would do, and his boss told him to go for the full-time job at the Northern. Chuck ultimately worked for three generations of Tedfords--Roy, Rex, and Duane--until shortly after Duane's untimely death in an airplane crash, for a total of 33 years. He started as a warehouseman and ended his long career at the Northern Fruit Company in 1972, as a field man and fruit buyer. During his tenure at the Northern, when winter idled the regular crew and laid off the others, Chuck took several of the regulars, and over several years, built 26 homes in the Pear Cot Addition off Grant Road in East Wenatchee for the Tedfords, who owned the pear and apricot orchard which they subdivided and developed. In addition to building his home on Rock Island Road, he also built two rental houses of his own, each to help finance the college education of one of his boys. During the 1950's, when Eastmont High School was being formed, he designed and built risers for the band room. He also headed a fundraising drive to provide uniforms for the band. As he visited the growers and others, he got out his list of donors, with his name on top, and asked them if they were willing to pay for a full uniform or half. Most, seeing his name on top of the list did one or the other. The Charles W. Barnhart Inspirational Award was given to an outstanding band member each year at Eastmont High School for many years. In retirement, Chuck was an avid gardener, maintaining a large, weedless garden year after year. He always prided himself in working longer and harder and faster than anyone else. He was a good example to his sons and others.
He is survived by two brothers, Robert of Pahrump, NV and Floyd OF Grass Valley, CA; one sister, Betty Morris of La Verne, CA; two sons, Edward (wife, Rachel), a full-time RVer, and Neil (wife, JoLynne) of Prescott Valley, AZ; four grandchildren, Scott Barnhart, Heather Otey, Robbin Lee, and Eric Keane. He had ten great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jo, in May of this year; one brother, Russell; and one sister, Gladys (Garot).
At his request, there will be no service. Inurnment at Evergreen Memorial Park in East Wenatchee will take place in the spring. Those wishing to make memorials may consider contributing to the Eastmont High School Band or a charity of their choice.
He was born on September 17, 1912, in the Bailey house in East Wenatchee, where Third Street SE crosses Rock Island Road, to Albert M. and Carrie V. (Eller) Barnhart. After living a brief time in Layton, CA while the family orchard further down Rock Island Road reached bearing stage, Chuck attended the East Wenatchee School through the eighth grade. He joined the "bridge walkers" to complete high school at Wenatchee, graduating with the class of 1933. It took him several years to complete high school, because he dropped out periodically to work to provide additional income for the family. He was raised a member of the Church of the Brethren. The first Barnharts to come to the United States from Europe in the mid-1700's were German Baptist Brethren. The Barnhart family migrated from Pennsylvania to Virginia to Kansas to Indiana to North Dakota, and eventually settled in the Wenatchee Valley. Chuck was baptized in the Brethren Church at the northwest corner of Cascade and 29th Street NW in East Wenatchee. He married his high school sweetheart, Josephine Johnson, on June 13, 1936. She lived in Wenatchee, and their courting consisted of his walking the three miles to Wenatchee almost every evening to see her, then walking back home again afterward. Four years later, their son Ed was born, and four years after that, another son, Neil. During the Depression, Chuck worked at anything he could find to put food on the table, including leasing orchards, digging irrigation ditches, unloading gondola cars of coal by shovel, and hand-picking coddling moths off apple trees. He also helped with concrete work done by Barnhart Concrete Workers, consisting of his father and his uncle Tom.
His first steady job, though seasonal, was with Wilmeroth Cold Storage as a fruit warehouseman, making $9 a week for six ten-hour days. Shortly after that, Roy Tedford offered him a year-around job at the Northern Fruit Company. Being an honorable man, Chuck asked Mr. Wilmeroth what he would do, and his boss told him to go for the full-time job at the Northern. Chuck ultimately worked for three generations of Tedfords--Roy, Rex, and Duane--until shortly after Duane's untimely death in an airplane crash, for a total of 33 years. He started as a warehouseman and ended his long career at the Northern Fruit Company in 1972, as a field man and fruit buyer. During his tenure at the Northern, when winter idled the regular crew and laid off the others, Chuck took several of the regulars, and over several years, built 26 homes in the Pear Cot Addition off Grant Road in East Wenatchee for the Tedfords, who owned the pear and apricot orchard which they subdivided and developed. In addition to building his home on Rock Island Road, he also built two rental houses of his own, each to help finance the college education of one of his boys. During the 1950's, when Eastmont High School was being formed, he designed and built risers for the band room. He also headed a fundraising drive to provide uniforms for the band. As he visited the growers and others, he got out his list of donors, with his name on top, and asked them if they were willing to pay for a full uniform or half. Most, seeing his name on top of the list did one or the other. The Charles W. Barnhart Inspirational Award was given to an outstanding band member each year at Eastmont High School for many years. In retirement, Chuck was an avid gardener, maintaining a large, weedless garden year after year. He always prided himself in working longer and harder and faster than anyone else. He was a good example to his sons and others.
He is survived by two brothers, Robert of Pahrump, NV and Floyd OF Grass Valley, CA; one sister, Betty Morris of La Verne, CA; two sons, Edward (wife, Rachel), a full-time RVer, and Neil (wife, JoLynne) of Prescott Valley, AZ; four grandchildren, Scott Barnhart, Heather Otey, Robbin Lee, and Eric Keane. He had ten great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jo, in May of this year; one brother, Russell; and one sister, Gladys (Garot).
At his request, there will be no service. Inurnment at Evergreen Memorial Park in East Wenatchee will take place in the spring. Those wishing to make memorials may consider contributing to the Eastmont High School Band or a charity of their choice.
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