Brian Michael Barnett, 73, of Franklin, died peacefully at his home on February 9, 2026 with his wife and daughter by his side.

Brian was born on May 8, 1952 in Detroit Michigan to Thomas William Barnett and Mary Elizabeth Myers Barnett.

Brian lived in Michigan until the age of 8 when he moved to South America with his Father and 2 younger siblings. He lived in the Andes Mountains outside of Cali Columbia until he returned to the United States at the age of 12. Brian’s father took jobs throughout the United States until the family moved back to Michigan where Brian graduated from Farmington High School in 1971. Brian attended 20 different High Schools as the family traveled and lived in Louisiana, Texas, Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii and finally California before returning to Michigan.

Following graduation, Brian worked on the Ludington Pump Storage Project in Ludington Michigan for 2 years before he attended OCC and obtained an associate’s degree in writing and journalism in 1975.

Brian married his first wife Rhonda Barnett in 1978. He, Rhonda and his stepson Jason moved to California where Brian worked for Boeing Airlines until 1983. In 1983, Brian came to Franklin, PA to start Liberty Electronics where he would eventually become Program Director. Brian also owned and operated Polly’s ice cream shop and owned and operated the Mexican Restaurant La Siesta. He worked for Liberty Electronics until his retirement in 2016. As program director at Liberty, Brian negotiated contracts throughout the United States, Mexico, Europe and Israel. His efforts at Liberty Electronics created jobs for hundreds of families in the Franklin Area.

Brian met and fell in love with his second wife, Jane Cliness Barnett in 2000 at a Songwriter’s Circle Event. They fell in love instantly and were married in 2001. Their daughter Brianna Jane was born in 2005. He loved and was so proud of “his girls.”

Brian loved horses. He owned, trained and rode horses throughout his life. His favorite horse Cody was a mustang he adopted from the Southwest. Brian was passionate about good food and drink. He worked by his father’s side in the restaurant business throughout his life. Brian was fluent in Spanish. His travels in his early life helped him understand and adapt to other cultures. He was an expert negotiator. Brian loved the Franklin Community. He was active in the Franklin Chamber and helped to organize the beginnings of Applefest. He was the High Commissioner of Stone Skipping for many years, he and his wife coached soccer for the YMCA, he started the Songwriter’s Circle in the early 1990’s and hosted bands and musicians from Pittsburgh and the surrounding area at the Barrow Civic. Bands and musicians that were hosted included Rusted Root, The Clarks, Forsythe Special, Ice Cream Headache, Max Shang and Carol Lee Espy.

Brian was passionate about the Episcopal Church. He served on Vestry at Christ Church in Oil City and later at St. John’s in Franklin. He obtained a certification in Theological Studies through The University of the South. He was a devoted member of the Order of St. Luke.

Brian was fascinated with the art of gunsmithing and shooting. He owned and collected new and vintage model guns. Brian had a passion for vintage cars and vintage car racing. He restored British cars for many years and hosted road rallies and car shows in the surrounding Franklin Area. He loved to gather his “car” friends together every year to attend the Vintage Car Races at Watkins Glen.

Above all, Brian was passionate about reading and writing. His love for language, words and storytelling was evident in his published works, “Pure Naked Passion,” a book of poetry, and his book series about his character Kimber in “John Wayne’s Saddle,” “Steve McQueen’s Hat,” “William Holden’s Buscadero,” and “Robert Mitchum’s Sombrero.” Brian spent 10 years of retirement doing what he loved most which was being an author, a father, and a husband.

Brian was preceded in death by his mother Mary Elizabeth Myers Barnett and his father Thomas William Barnett.

He is survived by his brother Christopher Barnett from Palm Beach Florida, his wife Jane Barnett, and his daughter Brianna Jane Barnett, his stepson Jason Barnett and daughter-in-law Taryn Barnett, his grandchildren Cody Barnett, Austin Barnett and Eva Mae Barnett.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Huff-Guthrie Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 312 West Park St. Franklin where family and friends are welcome from 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. Friday, February 13th. 

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 14th at St. John's Episcopal Church, 1145 Buffalo St., Franklin with Father Shawn Clerkin, officiating.

Interment will follow at Franklin Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation by visiting t2t.org or Gentiva Hospice 1119 Park Ave #7, Meadville, PA 16335.

Online condolences may be sent to Brian's family by visiting huffguthrie.com