Barry Arthur Merten
January 6, 1955 - February 11, 2026
Barry Arthur Merten—artist, landlord, music lover, and devoted family man—left his earthly body on February 11, 2026 due to complications of cancer treatment. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jan; his kids, Hannah (and her husband Mike Schutte), Nicholas and Julia Merten; niece Angela (and her husband Anthony Jimenez), grandnephews Tristan and Lucas Jimenez; sister-in-law Susan Merten, cousin Janell Woodard, Cincinnati family and many dear friends. Barry was preceded in death by his parents John and Dorothy Merten, brother Dennis Merten and stepmother Maxie Merten.
Barry spent his 71 years on earth creating. His creative spark landed him behind a drum set in a garage band of his youth in Aurora, in front of a canvas earning his degree in Fine Arts, with a putty knife and chisel restoring old mansions in Denver’s Capitol Hill, and finally, in front of a drawing board and a Mac. His singular sense of taste (and an inability to work for anybody else) brought him to start an award-winning graphic design studio, Merten Design Group, that he ran for 38 years. He was proud to brand the launch of the Denver Central Library’s flagship Michael Graves-designed main branch expansion, as well as creating the debut issues of 5280 Magazine. His favorite projects involved illustration and custom food packaging, where his playfulness could really shine. While expanding Merten Design Group, Barry bought and redeveloped a historic storefront property on Denver’s South Pearl Street. He was a small business champion to his core, and was proud to rent his Pearl Street spaces to many small businesses. Over his 45+ years as a DU-area landlord, Barry cared for eight apartments and hundreds of tenants, some of whom became lifelong friends, and one became his wife!
Throughout his life, Barry created countless works of art in many different styles, but with recurring themes: the grandeur of the mountain west, and the magic energy of clouds. He inherited a love for New Mexico from his father and uncle, and he continued to visit Taos and Santa Fe to gather inspiration for his landscape paintings throughout his life—even when his mobility loss meant he would be visiting galleries with a cane, then a walker, and eventually a wheelchair.
Barry had a keen ear for music and he always kept a guitar within reach. He leaves behind a music collection that spans eras and genres and every medium from vinyl to Spotify. When asked to prepare an 18-hour playlist to be played during his water cremation, his family curated 20 hours of just his most favorite music. There was so much to love.
Most of all, Barry loved his family. Although he was physically challenged in later years, his last year on earth was punctuated by coast-to-coast family trips and lots of happy memories. Of the many beautiful things Barry created in his life, he was by far proudest of his three children: Hannah, Nick, and Julia. He is so deeply missed.
Barry had a lifelong green thumb and love for plants and nature. His family will hold a private memorial at the Denver Botanic Gardens in May.
Donations
Barry was a lover of kitties, therefore a donation to
Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue
2390 S. Delaware St, Denver, CO 80223
or another no kill shelter would be appreciated.
