Champ Clark Barnes was born to Robert Field Barnes (1857–1934) of Texas and Eureka L. Jones Barnes (1865–1946) of Kentucky. His parents married in 1889 in Collin County, Texas.

He was named after James Beauchamp “Champ” Clark (1850–1921), a prominent Kentucky-born Democratic politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 26 years and was Speaker of the House from 1911 to 1919.

On October 31, 1923, Champ married Florence Louise Fielder (1901–1998). They had three children:

• Mary Louise Barnes Moore (1925– )
• Champ Clark Barnes, Jr. (1928–2012)
• Franklin Delano Barnes (1934–2015)

A plumber by trade, Champ also served as a volunteer firefighter in Arlington, Texas. He died at age 52 in the line of duty on March 31, 1951, while helping to protect the property of others. He is honored at Heroes Park in Arlington.

The City of Arlington Fire Department commemorates his service with these words:

Firefighter Champ Barnes, the second-oldest member of the Arlington Fire Department, died in service to the Department at 7:45 p.m. on March 31, 1951. He passed away as he would have wished—helping to save the property of others while serving his fellow man.