February 24, 1943 ~ November 4, 2026: The beautiful soul of Terry Diane Carls Barkett left its earthly home peacefully surrounded by the love of family on November 4th, 2026. Terry spent her early years in Racine, Wisconsin, moving to Oklahoma City to attend the University of Oklahoma where she became an outstanding campus leader. Selected as her Chi Omega sorority president as a sophomore, she received a bachelor’s degree in Laboratory Technology.
She met her husband-to-be Michael at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 1965 and they were married in 1966 after she spent six months in Australia working as a medical technologist at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Terry eventually returned to college and earned a second degree in Computer Science.
In 1982, Terry moved to Salida, Colorado with her husband, Mike and their three children (Melissa, Darren, and Summer). Terry worked as a computer programmer for the U.S. Soil Corporation and, later, Linguex International. She quickly became involved in community affairs, heading the 9-Health Fair and becoming President of the Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce. As Chamber president, she organized the “Say Yes to Chaffee County” campaign which brought state-wide publicity with live news coverage to Salida and Chaffee County.
Terry, together with Mayor Patsy Brooks and Collegiate Peaks Bank founder Charles Forster, conceived of turning the old Edison electric steam generating plant into a fine arts center. After negotiating the purchase of the building, she helped transform the building into what is now the Steamplant Performing Arts Center.
In 1988, Terry became a Chaffee County Commissioner, the first woman ever elected. During her term she established the county’s computer database to assist one of her major goals; economic development for our region. Terry cherished this time in her life with warm memories of colleagues, road crew, and other co-workers she felt fortunate to be able to work with. She was chosen as Woman of the Year for Chaffee County in 1988.
Always a champion of local artists, Terry opened Fresh Ideas Gallery in the old Woolworth’s building, helping to modernize downtown Salida. She was instrumental in establishing the first Art Walk in Salida. Terry and Michael established Mountain Spirit Winery in 1995. Fresh Ideas transformed into the Mountain Spirit Gallery and Tasting room, first in downtown Salida, and later moving into a beautiful new building on Highway 50 that they planned and built. They owned and ran the winery with help from their family until 2025, winning national and international awards for their wine along with recognition for our area.
Despite all her accomplishments and contributions, Terry always felt her most important gift to the world was her children and family. She was preceded in death by a daughter Tracy Diane, and brother Robert Carls. She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Doctor Michael, three children and their families: Melissa, Troy, Alex, and Brennan Long; Darren, Michele, Taija, and Iris Barkett; Summer, Andrew, Vander, and Olive Richie; her devoted dog Lily; and sister-in-law, Terri Carls of Wisconsin. Terry had a way of making the world beautiful and her family will miss her everyday. No public services will be held. The family requests contributions to Ark Valley Humane Society or the Drama Department of Salida High School in lieu of flowers. Condolences can be forwarded
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