Charles Tinsley Barnard

Charles "Charlie" Tinsley Barnard, 71, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on October 21, 2026, in Leawood, Kansas, after a decade-long battle with Parkinson's disease. He fought the disease as he did everything in life, with a positive outlook, determination, and hard work.

A proud Vanderbilt University graduate, he went on to earn a Master's Degree in engineering from the University of Kentucky and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Virginia, where he met his wife, Victoria.

Charlie was a lifelong entrepreneur, starting with a David's Cookies franchise, building Foot Traffic into a leading novelty sock wholesale and retail business, and restoring an award-winning historic commercial building in the Crossroads District of Kansas City. Charlie also served many years on the Crossroads Community Association and received an Urban Hero Award for his contribution to neighborhood improvement.

Charlie was an avid track and field athlete and fan. He excelled at pole vaulting and short-distance sprinting in school and throughout his adult life, actively competing in USA Masters Track and Field competitions—and earning medals at the international level—even with Parkinson’s until a few years ago. He loved all sports, from cheering on SEC collegiate athletics to coaching his daughter's basketball teams. Ever the adventurer, he loved to travel the world, including many business and personal trips to Asia and several summer adventures to watch European Track and Field meets. Above all, Charlie loved his family.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 41 years, Victoria Barnard; his daughter, Amanda Phillips, and her husband, Thomas Phillips; his grandchildren, Everett and Patterson Phillips; many nieces and one nephew; and his sister, Eleanor Hutchinson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, S. Charles Barnard and Mary Virginia Rogers Barnard.

A funeral service will be held November 14th, 10 AM at Resurrection Downtown, 1601 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64108.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Exercise and Wellness Center, 3660 W. 95th Street, Leawood KS, 66206. www.thepewc.org