John Matthew Barnett, 54 of Vernon, Texas passed away on Thursday, August 28, 2025, in Vernon, Texas.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 3:00 pm at the Vernon VFW. Family and friends are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes, Dungeons and Dragon costumes, Renaissance costumes or any favorite character.

John was born Friday, January 8, 1971, in Atwater, California to the late William L. Barnett and the late Minnie L. Davis Barnett. John was a graduate of Crowell High School, Class of 1989. He studied Drama at the Vernon College. He was certified in Airframe and Powerplants with the International Aviation & Travel Academy in 1995. He worked for Brantley International until they sold to Qingdao Haili Helicopters in 2012. John was currently working at the Vernon State Hospital as a clerk in the maintenance department and formally worked as a PNA at the state hospital. While working for Brantley International, he traveled to China and climbed the Great Wall of China. He also participated in many Renaissance fairs, he loved Anime, and he was very skilled at painting miniatures. He loved to play Magic the Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons. John was a member of the Dungeons and Dragons group at Paint Your Peace, and also a member of the Prairie Dog Improv Troupe Group with the Little Playhouse on the Prairie Theatre Company. John had also spent sixteen years at Nightmare on Main Steet Haunted House, as a costume creator, mask maker and even playing characters. John had a very snarky sense of humor with a kind heart, and he loved Blue Jays.

"A true artist at heart he poured his many talents into every project, designing and fabricating costumes, handcrafting mask, and bringing to life unforgettable characters that terrified and delighted thousands of visitors. He gave his time, his heart and his passion freely, our Haunted House will never be the same without him."

John is survived by his sister, Laurie Hall, of Vernon, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask for memorials to be made to Little Playhouse on the Prairie or Wilbarger County Humane Society.