Terry Clayton Barnett, 70, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Health System-Austin.

Terry was born on May 19, 1949, in Austin to Clayton (Spike) and Sylvia (Hall) Barnett. He graduated from Austin High School in 1967 and later attended Mankato State, graduating in 1971. Following graduation from Mankato State and earning his Masters Degree in education, Terry moved to Tempe, Arizona, to pursue a career in teaching and raised two children. In 2002, Terry moved back to Austin to be closer to his father and friends. He became a substitute teacher in the Austin Public Schools and later married his second wife, Dianne.

Terry had the unique ability to light up a room using minimal words. He loved the simple things in life and was content wherever he was. He filled his days golfing, hiking, biking, watching sports, doing yard work, traveling and playing with his grandchildren. He loved planning spring and fall golf trips with his golfing buddies, making sure everyone was on a team and had a ride. He was lovingly known for grilling delicious steaks for all the guys while there. He enjoyed his 10:30 a.m. golf games at Meadow Greens and the Monday traveling games. He and Dianne spent the last few winters in California and were planning on leaving for another one in just a week.

His love for those activities, however, paled in comparison to the love he had for his wife, his children, his grandchildren (who knew him as “Bakka”) and his friends. He would give the shirt off his back for the people he cared about – and do it with a smile (and perhaps some friendly teasing). It was this complete and utter unselfishness that will leave the biggest void in the lives of all who knew him, a void that will not be filled. Simply put, Terry will be dearly missed by family and friends alike.

He is survived by his wife, Dianne Barnett, Austin; son, Tyler (Laura) Barnett, Tempe; daughter, Tatum (Stefan) Lehner, Monrovia, California; grandchildren, Kolbe, Asher and Francesca Barnett and Garrett and Tayler Lehner; sisters, Coleen (Mark) Altnow, Apple Valley, Minnesota, and Priscilla Armstrong, Shakopee, Minnesota; Dianne’s children, Emily (Chris) McKeever, Waconia, Minnesota, and Erinn Becker, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Dianne’s grandchildren, Oliver, Charlotte and Edward McKeever and Charlie, Eleanor and Jane Becker; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Sylvia; and father, Spike.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin with the Rev. Mark Niethammer officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.