Obituaries

Ted Marshall Barnett, age 88 went home to be with the Lord on May 8, 2020. He resided at Sunrise Senior Living on 4801 Edwards Mill Road in Raleigh, North Carolina. Ted was born on September 9, 1931 in Boone, North Carolina. Ted is preceded in death by his parents Della Dean Hendrix Barnett and I. T. Barnett, wife Frances Sisk Barnett, daughter Marsha Barnett Draughn, brothers Morris Barnett and Delos Barnett, sisters Vera Barnett and Royster Andrews. Ted is survived by his daughter Dori Barnett Barefoot, grandchildren Marshall Brooks Barefoot, Ashlyn Barefoot, Theodora Draughn and Felicia Draughn. Ted also had four great grandchildren.

After earning a B. S. Degree from Appalachian State Teachers College, Ted served in the U. S. Army during the Korean conflict. He attained Top Secret clearance working as a message decoder. Upon his discharge, he spent one year as Interim Band Director at Lincolnton High School, Lincolnton North Carolina. He then joined Berger and Howren Music Company in Charlotte as an Educational Sales Representative.

Shortly before he combined with C. H. Duncan in establishing Duncan Music Company in Winston-Salem, NC, Ted became the Choir Director at First United Methodist Church in Lincolnton, where he served for a number of years.

Together Duncan, Barnett and others built a highly successful company that catered to the needs of public schools, Colleges and University Music Departments in North Carolina, Tennessee and throughout the south. Ted’s sterling personality and winsome spirit played a major role in the development and growth of Duncan Music.
 
Ted’s ever present smile and genuine concern with each individual band director with whom he worked, helped him to become tremendously successful in his service to band programs throughout North Carolina and elsewhere. At one time it was thought, though unofficially, that Ted was responsible for the sales of more band and orchestra instruments than anyone else in the entire nation!

Ted was an advisor, an encourager, a counselor, a mentor, a confidant and a cherished friend to countless numbers of music teachers, young and old. Ted also was an avid golfer who for many years enjoyed the membership at Catawba Country Club, Newton, North Carolina. He was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him, and above all Ted Barnett was the epitome of a true gentleman!

A private committal service will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery.