Charles Edward Barnes

Charles Edward Barnes, 81, of Crestview, Florida, passed suddenly but peacefully of natural causes on December 20, 2025. Born in Escambia Farms, Florida, to Cecil Elmond Barnes and Louise Pope Barnes (both deceased), Charles was the eldest of six siblings.

Charles graduated from Crestview High School in 1962 and worked primarily as a defense contractor on Eglin Air Force Base for 46 years. He extended his education with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and a Master’s Degree in Administration. He also served the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department as a member of the volunteer Sheriff’s Posse, later becoming a full-time Deputy. For a time after retiring from law enforcement, Charles operated Barnes Investigations, his private investigation agency.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Wayne Barnes, sister, Ellen Spears, and daughter, Shelly Derae; He is survived by his brother, Glen Barnes (Janis); sisters, Faye Todd (Clyde) and Sandra Kacenak; son, Craig Barnes (Tamara); stepson, Gregory Boyett (Allison); and his loving wife, Diane Barnes.

Plans for a Celebration of Life are underway, but no firm date has been set at this time. Those who knew Charles Edward Barnes should expect to see mild delays in the answering of prayers. Charles is finally in the presence of the Almighty, and he has a lot of opinions on how things ought to be run.