John Barnes...RIP


This was just sent to me from Audiogoner Theo:

Dear RMAF Friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I send you this news about our dear friend. John had been a supporter of RMAF since its inception and a long standing member of the Colorado Audio Society. Over the years Al and I shared much laughter with John and his amazing wife, Pam. He will surely be missed by all of us...

Here is a copy of John's obituary:

John R. Barnes, 59, passed away suddenly in his home Tuesday April 5, 2011. A celebration of John’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, April 10 at the Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 1091 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver. He was a partner with his brother Steve and father Bob in Pneumatics Unlimited Inc. and is the current owner of Audio Unlimited in Denver.



John was born on March 25, 1952 in Wilmington, OH and moved to Colorado in the early 70’s. He attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and University of Southern Colorado in Pueblo, CO. Before partnering in 1982 with his brother and father he worked as a salesman in industrial distribution.



John enjoyed many passions. His love of music inspired him to start Audio Unlimited, and he made many wonderful friends in the process. He raced his favorite car, an Alfa Romeo, with the Sports Car Club of America, and enjoyed 4 wheeling with his wife and beloved dogs. John was a renaissance man who loved reading, music, wine, meeting new people, and enjoying all of his friends.



He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Pam Buhl, his mother Sue, Sisters Cindy Barnes-Chazin (David), Cheryl Brereton, brothers Steve (Linda), Mark (Pat) and Paul Barnes, and many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's name to the charity of your choice. Written condolences may be sent to John's wife:

Pam Buhl
3205 E Colorado Ave
Denver, CO 80210

Any business questions should be directed to Carl Jerritts at carl@audiounlimiteddenver.com

Be well, Marjorie






128x128mofimadness
It's a very sad news..

I met John a few times at CES and he seemed to be a great person and a very successful high end audio dealer in CO.

He will be missed by many friends and customers in the audio industry.
That is indeed sad news. Met him several times while I resided in the Denver area. Always a pleasure to meet and greet one of the good guys in the business. He will be sorely missed in the audio community.
RIP John. I was fortunate enough to do business with John when I lived in Denver. A true gentleman and straight-up guy. He will be missed by all who had the good fortune to know him. Amen.
John Barnes was a friend, I was shocked to read of his passing. I got the email from Marjorie earlier today.

John was too young, seems the longer we are around the more our friends pass.
I am deeply saddened at the news and hurt especially for Pam. John was an upstanding man, a lover of music and the equipment that produced it. Above all, John was a trustworthy friend. John, I will miss you.
It was a shock when I learned of this this morning. I had done business with John on a few things and he was always a pleasure to do business with. Always freindly and his passing will leave a big hole in the Denver audio market.
John started as my audio mentor. Over time, we became friends and discussed life rather than just audio. He was proud because the new pooch that Pam and John got had recently done very well in a show. He was full of life and all of us who knew him have suffered a loss in his passing. My heart goes out to Pam. I can always find a place to buy gear, but nobody can replace John's wonderful persona.
Just got the news last night, I'm shocked and saddened. I spent countless hours hanging out, listening to music, and auditioning audio gear with John, over the years. Although I haven't seen John is quite sometime, I considered him a friend, and one of the most outstanding audio dealers I've dealt with. He helped me with great patience, and knowledge, rebuild my audio system, after being burglarized. My condolences to Pam, his family, and his friends. He will be greatly missed.
When I'm in Denver I always call John and Carl at Audio Unlimited to say I'm in town and I'll drop by to say hi and catch up on things - especially cars and racing. This has gone on for years. Today Carl called me back to let me that John had died last Tuesday of a massive heart attack. I was shocked and devastated. We talked for long time about John and what happened. I'm still shocked. John was a friend. Someone I cared about and I will miss him. My condolences to Pam, his family, friends and to Carl. We'll miss John.
He was missed at RMAF this year, I went to the mezzanine where he was always out front taking time to speak to each and everyone. And there was a void there that could not be overlooked.
I am catching up to this horrible news late, but I had the great fortune to be a friend and customer of John's. He epitomized not only the best of this hobby but of what it takes to be a stand-up human being. Vaya con dios, amigo. Mi casa es su casa.