Carroll L. Barnes, 80, who lived his entire life in Coldwater, died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, November 1, 2021, at his home overlooking his beloved Coldwater Lake. Carroll never went to Paris, but he didn’t have to. Coldwater Lake was his Paris.
While a series of health problems had slowed Carroll down in recent years, he loved nothing more than to wheel out onto the deck or, when that wasn’t possible, to watch out the window from his reclining chair the comings and goings each day on the lake, which he knew like the back of his hand. He passed his love for the lake on to his wife and his twins who grew up spending their summers at a family cottage on Iyopawa Island.
A true highlight of the summer season was a pontoon boat ride from Coldwater Lake through each of the lakes in the chain to Marble Lake and back. Being wheelchair bound made this excursion challenging, but thanks to a strong, capable nephew who provided the heft and ingenuity to get Carroll aboard, he was able to feel the wind in what was left of his hair and the sun on his face. He basked in the delight of that trip for months afterwards.
Carroll was born in Coldwater on November 20, 1940, a date that was just one day and one year before his wife, Margaret “Peg” McGarry, was born on November 19, 1941. Carroll and Peg, who were high school sweethearts, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on May 27. They met through a mutual friend when “Peggy” was a cheerleader at St. Charles High School and Carroll attended Coldwater High.
Carroll and Peg loved entertaining and spending time with their many friends and family. They belonged to a bridge group and hosted friends for dinner and cards at their home. They took family trips to explore northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, as well as to New Orleans, Maine, Florida and California. An avid Michigan State fan, where both of his children went to college, Carroll watched on Saturday as the Spartans beat their rivals Michigan in a nail biter of a game at Spartan Stadium. He rewatched the game on Sunday, on what would end up being his last day. Carroll and Peg and close friends Buzz and Linda Galliers enjoyed tailgaiting at football games despite the Galliers’ loyalty to Ohio State. Carroll still enjoyed occasional poker nights with a group of his close friends, too.
Carroll owned and operated Carroll’s Shoes in downtown Coldwater for 26 years. It was a true family affair. His wife, sister-in-law, family friends and his kids all had jobs at the store. After the store closed, Carroll traveled Michigan and the Midwest extensively as a sales rep for Cherokee, Hi-Tec Sports and Wolverine, among other lines. He also worked for the nonprofit organization Soles4Souls, seeking donations from shoe companies that were then distributed to those in need throughout the world.
Carroll was a member of St. Charles Church where he served on the Parish Council and the church Board of Education, also teaching religious education. He was active in many civic organizations including serving as past president of the Jaycees, on the Tibbits Opera House Board of Directors, City Board of Review and the Michigan Shoe Traveler’s Association. Carroll was a lifetime member of the Coldwater Elks and the Coldwater Noon Rotary, serving as president and receiving the Paul Harris Fellow award in 2008. He took part in 51 Rotary shows. He was instrumental in helping to establish the Sunrise Rotary and helping to raise funds to build a new scoreboard at Coldwater High School.
Carroll is survived by his wife Peg, his son Timothy (Mary) Barnes of Ladera Ranch, CA, his daughter Amy Barnes of Providence, RI, his brother Richie (Karen) Barnes of Naples, FL; grandchildren Anna Maria Barnes and Angelina (Gina) Barnes and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Mass will be held Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 10:00 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Coldwater. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, November 8, 2021 from 4-7:00 PM at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater. The family would love visitors to wear Spartan colors or apparel at his services in his honor. Memorials may be directed to the Branch Area Food Pantry or the Coldwater Noon Rotary Foundation.
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