Charles Edward Barber, age 84, of Longmont passed away peacefully March 13, 2023. Charles was born in Lamar.

Charles (Chuck or Charlie by his family and friends) was born to Faye Elizabeth Walker and F. Edward Barber in Lamar.

He spent a good portion of his childhood in Brandon in a one-room house with a dirt floor. At age 13, he and his family moved to Denver to live with relatives before moving to Eads, where he graduated from Eads High School in 1956. Chuck spent some time working for his dad’s service station and helping him with his work as a carpenter.

After high school, Chuck joined the United States Air Force where he served for four years. He then moved to Boulder, where he was appointed as a City of Boulder Police Officer July 15, 1960. After serving seven years on the police force, he opened up a gun store in Boulder called The Outdoorsman where he worked for several years. One of his friends recalled that Chuck was not cut out to be in retail because he went to buy a gun and it was too expensive, so Chuck said “the rent is due, so today, this gun is half off.” His buddy ended up buying two guns that day.

In the early 80s, he started driving for RTD and retired after 20 years. In the fall of 1989, he was introduced to Phyllis Manuagh, who also worked for RTD, and they lived together in Longmont until her death in 2007. Chuck became a stepdad to her children and “Grandpa Guck” to her grandchildren. They couldn’t say Chuck, so it came out “Guck”!

He spent many years shooting with clubs and was an avid shooter and an excellent marksman. His house, truck and guns were his prized possessions. Very often, he took first place in his shooting competitions and met many friends along the way. After retirement he and Phyllis travelled to Alaska, Maine, and the Oregon coast. They spent many weeks in their camper and fishing from their pontoon boat.

Chuck would talk guns and airplanes with anyone who would listen. He was very proud of the fact that, at age 84, he had a full circle of friends. When Chuck was in high school, he went hunting with a friend and accidentally shot himself in the foot with a 410 shotgun and after that he always disliked that particular shotgun. Also, while in high school, a P51 flew over and buzzed the windmill platform he was standing on, sending him into the stock tank below. Despite that incident, he always had a calendar at home of old wartime airplanes.

Chuck is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Shirley Byrne; and special friend, Phyllis Manaugh.

He is survived by his sister, Joyce Wheeler of Parker; niece, Julie Schierkolk (Jason) of Elizabeth and their two children, Emelia and Chloe; nephew, Kent Wheeler of Hayden, Idaho; stepdaughters, Donna Pape (Jeff) of Wellington, and Dian Perry (Bruce Knight) of Hampshire, England; grandchildren, Josh Pape (Katey) of Peyton, Casey Wing (Derek) of Loveland, Kristina (Perry) Fiffick of California; and two great-grandchildren, Esme and Bentley.

A celebration of life for Chuck will be held Saturday, March 25, 2023 from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Pinocchios Incredible Italian Restaurant, 210 Ken Pratt Blvd, Unit 260, Longmont, Colorado 80501.

Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Howe Mortuary & Crematory.