Born in 1948 in Laurel, Mississippi, Charles "Chuck" Barnes served as an Army medic at the Presidio of San Francisco during the Vietnam War, tending the wounded returning from war. While working as a medic, Charles met his future wife, Ella, while she was serving with the Red Cross. After Charles was honorably discharged from the service, the two married in 1968 and moved to Springfield, Ohio after their first daughter, LaHoma, was born. The couple welcomed a second daughter, LaRea, in 1972.

In 1970, Charles became the first Black firefighter to join the Springfield Fire Department. In 1979, he was promoted to Lieutenant, again becoming the first Black firefighter to earn that rank.

While in the fire division, Charles served at the Pleasant Avenue and Home Road stations, and mentored many of the Black firefighters who joined the department through the 70s and early 80s. He also continued his education at Central State University and Wittenberg University. After just 12 short years as a firefighter, Charles had a heart attack, forcing him to
retire from the fire department.

Lt. Charles Barnes died on April 4, 1984 at the age of 36. He is buried in the WWII section of Ferncliff Cemetery.