Thursday, October 1, 2026
David K. Barnett, 78, author, speaker, minister, and beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at his home in Granbury, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. His wife and three adult children surrounded him. He lived nearly 13 years after receiving a lung transplant. David was born in Bethesda, Maryland, to Clarence H. and Lois (Weinel) Barnett Oct. 20, 1947. He graduated from Warsaw High School in Indiana in 1965, where he was active in speech, theater, and music. He earned a BA from Indiana University in 1969, an MA in Counseling Psychology from Ball State University in 1971, an MDiv from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary in 1977, and a Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Seminary in 1982. David served in the U.S. Air Force Intelligence Service as a radio intercept analyst in England during the Vietnam era.
On May 4, 197 4, he married Julie Hogue, and together they celebrated 52 years of marriage. David was a minister in the United Presbyterian Church in Indiana and Texas during the 1970s and 1980s. In the years that followed, he led numerous Bible studies and Sunday school classes and was involved in media ministry. He taught college classes, worked a variety of jobs, and traveled and spoke internationally before founding his own company, Research Based Solutions.
In 2007, David moved to Granbury, Texas, where he became deeply involved in researching and writing about the town's history. He authored many books, including Best Historic Small Town in America, which remains available at the Arts and Letters bookstore in Granbury. David had many accomplishments throughout his life, but his greatest legacy was not in his degrees, books, travels, or professional achievements. It was found in the people he loved most. David had a deep and abiding love for the Lord, and his faith was woven throughout his life, his work, and his relationships with others. Above all, David was a devoted husband, a funny and deeply engaged father, and a loving grandfather. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a way of making his family laugh, while also being genuinely interested in their lives, their dreams, and the people they were becoming. His children and grandchildren knew that they were loved, valued, and important to him. The legacy he leaves them is one of faith, love, laughter, curiosity, and a life lived with purpose.
David is survived by his wife, Julie; three children, Jill (Adam) Schutz, Amy (Marc) Corbett, and Dr. Michael (Cheryl) Barnett; six grandchildren, Trevor and Tyson Schutz, Caroline an Jameson Corbett, and Erik and Alex Barnett; and his sister, Darlene Stafford of Cary, North Carolina.
Services will be Saturday, Sept. 19 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Granbury, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you consider a donation to COFA in honor of David Barnett. COFA serves communities throughout Africa through education, healthcare, housing, employment, and orphan care. Christian Outreach for Africa, 111 W. Olive Street, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
A Gift of Life
In honor of David, we encourage you to consider becoming an organ donor. Through the gift of a donor lung, David was blessed with 12 additional years of life-years filled with faith, family, friendships, and cherished memories. Organ donation is a profound act of generosity that brings hope and the gift of life to others.
