WILLIS T. "RED" BARRETT
SAN ANGELO — Willis T. "Red" Barrett, 79, of San Angelo passed away March 2, 2006, in San Angelo. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, in Johnson's Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Don Ardrey officiating. Interment will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Red was born April 29, 1926, in Cherokee, Texas, to his parents Daniel D. and Laura Ann Taylor Barrett. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 during World War II and also served during the Korean War. In 1953, Red enlisted in the United States Army and served through the Vietnam War until his retirement as a command sergeant major in July of 1971. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister,Adeline Willa (Barrett) Flanigan; and two brothers, Winifred Samuel "Sam" Barrett
and Daniel D. Barrett Jr.
He is survived by his loving family, sister BILLIE BARRETT MCCLURE of San Angelo; nieces and nephews Pat Flanigan, Mike Flanigan, Ike Flanigan, Sam Flanigan, Fred Flanigan, Sam Barrett, David Barrett, Bill Barrett, Alicia Ang, Carla Potter, David McClure and Daryl McClure; numerous great-nieces and nephews; and other family members. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, at Johnson's Funeral Home.
Johnson's Funeral Home
GREEN BERET PIONEER HUMBLE ABOUT SERVICE
Willis T. "Red" BARRETT was admired most for what he talked about the least.
BARRETT, of San Angelo, spent 28 years in the U.S. Navy and Army before retiring as a command sergeant major with the Army Special Forces, commonly called the Green Berets.
"He was very humble about that," said Alicia BARRETT Ang of her uncle. "He never talked about what he did."
BARRETT died Sunday. The 79-year-old was known to his family and friends as "Red," for the color of his thick hair.
He had no children of his own but was close to his extended family. A command sergeant major is the senior enlisted adviser to the commanding officer, who is in charge of a military unit. According to relatives, BARRETT was one of the nation's first Green Berets. They are an elite group trained for unconventional warfare and special operations.
"He just loved this country deeply," said Ang, of Austin.
With his parents' approval and support, BARRETT enlisted in the Navy at age 17.
"We were in the midst of World War II, and he wanted to do his part to serve his country," said his sister, Billie BARRETT McClure of San Angelo.
BARRETT spent almost 10 years with the Navy, where he served in World War II and the Korean War before joining the Army in 1953. In the Army, BARRETT served in Vietnam.
All told, he earned more than 13 decorations for his service. They include a Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam; a National Defense Service Medal for serving in the Korean War; and a World War II Victory Medal.
"He was not one to brag about anything," McClure said.
BARRETT only shared mementos, photos and a few camping techniques he learned while on tours of duty with his nieces and nephews.
There was, however, one facet of his work he enjoyed sharing.
"He was a paratrooper, and he did talk about jumping out of airplanes in the Army," Ang said. "He loved jumping out of airplanes."
After retiring in 1971, BARRETT came back to San Angelo and opened BARRETT Texaco with his older brother Sam. The two operated the gas stations at North and South Bryant Boulevard until the late 1970s.
Retirement also gave him the chance to attend every Central High School football game and Lake View basketball and baseball games.
"Red had season tickets for Bobcat games, and he always sat at the same spot," McClure said, "and he never missed a Lake View basketball or baseball game."
With the usual friends, BARRETT attended the March 24 Lake View baseball game in Big Spring, where he collapsed. He died almost two weeks later in a San Angelo medical facility.
"He was a big supporter of the local teams," said nephew David BARRETT of Austin. "He had a big heart, and it was just tired."
SAN ANGELO — Willis T. "Red" Barrett, 79, of San Angelo passed away March 2, 2006, in San Angelo. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, in Johnson's Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Don Ardrey officiating. Interment will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Red was born April 29, 1926, in Cherokee, Texas, to his parents Daniel D. and Laura Ann Taylor Barrett. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 during World War II and also served during the Korean War. In 1953, Red enlisted in the United States Army and served through the Vietnam War until his retirement as a command sergeant major in July of 1971. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister,Adeline Willa (Barrett) Flanigan; and two brothers, Winifred Samuel "Sam" Barrett
and Daniel D. Barrett Jr.
He is survived by his loving family, sister BILLIE BARRETT MCCLURE of San Angelo; nieces and nephews Pat Flanigan, Mike Flanigan, Ike Flanigan, Sam Flanigan, Fred Flanigan, Sam Barrett, David Barrett, Bill Barrett, Alicia Ang, Carla Potter, David McClure and Daryl McClure; numerous great-nieces and nephews; and other family members. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, at Johnson's Funeral Home.
Johnson's Funeral Home
GREEN BERET PIONEER HUMBLE ABOUT SERVICE
Willis T. "Red" BARRETT was admired most for what he talked about the least.
BARRETT, of San Angelo, spent 28 years in the U.S. Navy and Army before retiring as a command sergeant major with the Army Special Forces, commonly called the Green Berets.
"He was very humble about that," said Alicia BARRETT Ang of her uncle. "He never talked about what he did."
BARRETT died Sunday. The 79-year-old was known to his family and friends as "Red," for the color of his thick hair.
He had no children of his own but was close to his extended family. A command sergeant major is the senior enlisted adviser to the commanding officer, who is in charge of a military unit. According to relatives, BARRETT was one of the nation's first Green Berets. They are an elite group trained for unconventional warfare and special operations.
"He just loved this country deeply," said Ang, of Austin.
With his parents' approval and support, BARRETT enlisted in the Navy at age 17.
"We were in the midst of World War II, and he wanted to do his part to serve his country," said his sister, Billie BARRETT McClure of San Angelo.
BARRETT spent almost 10 years with the Navy, where he served in World War II and the Korean War before joining the Army in 1953. In the Army, BARRETT served in Vietnam.
All told, he earned more than 13 decorations for his service. They include a Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam; a National Defense Service Medal for serving in the Korean War; and a World War II Victory Medal.
"He was not one to brag about anything," McClure said.
BARRETT only shared mementos, photos and a few camping techniques he learned while on tours of duty with his nieces and nephews.
There was, however, one facet of his work he enjoyed sharing.
"He was a paratrooper, and he did talk about jumping out of airplanes in the Army," Ang said. "He loved jumping out of airplanes."
After retiring in 1971, BARRETT came back to San Angelo and opened BARRETT Texaco with his older brother Sam. The two operated the gas stations at North and South Bryant Boulevard until the late 1970s.
Retirement also gave him the chance to attend every Central High School football game and Lake View basketball and baseball games.
"Red had season tickets for Bobcat games, and he always sat at the same spot," McClure said, "and he never missed a Lake View basketball or baseball game."
With the usual friends, BARRETT attended the March 24 Lake View baseball game in Big Spring, where he collapsed. He died almost two weeks later in a San Angelo medical facility.
"He was a big supporter of the local teams," said nephew David BARRETT of Austin. "He had a big heart, and it was just tired."
WILLIS T. "RED" BARRETT
SAN ANGELO — Willis T. "Red" Barrett, 79, of San Angelo passed away March 2, 2006, in San Angelo. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, in Johnson's Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Don Ardrey officiating. Interment will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Red was born April 29, 1926, in Cherokee, Texas, to his parents Daniel D. and Laura Ann Taylor Barrett. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 during World War II and also served during the Korean War. In 1953, Red enlisted in the United States Army and served through the Vietnam War until his retirement as a command sergeant major in July of 1971. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister,Adeline Willa (Barrett) Flanigan; and two brothers, Winifred Samuel "Sam" Barrett
and Daniel D. Barrett Jr.
He is survived by his loving family, sister BILLIE BARRETT MCCLURE of San Angelo; nieces and nephews Pat Flanigan, Mike Flanigan, Ike Flanigan, Sam Flanigan, Fred Flanigan, Sam Barrett, David Barrett, Bill Barrett, Alicia Ang, Carla Potter, David McClure and Daryl McClure; numerous great-nieces and nephews; and other family members. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, at Johnson's Funeral Home.
Johnson's Funeral Home
GREEN BERET PIONEER HUMBLE ABOUT SERVICE
Willis T. "Red" BARRETT was admired most for what he talked about the least.
BARRETT, of San Angelo, spent 28 years in the U.S. Navy and Army before retiring as a command sergeant major with the Army Special Forces, commonly called the Green Berets.
"He was very humble about that," said Alicia BARRETT Ang of her uncle. "He never talked about what he did."
BARRETT died Sunday. The 79-year-old was known to his family and friends as "Red," for the color of his thick hair.
He had no children of his own but was close to his extended family. A command sergeant major is the senior enlisted adviser to the commanding officer, who is in charge of a military unit. According to relatives, BARRETT was one of the nation's first Green Berets. They are an elite group trained for unconventional warfare and special operations.
"He just loved this country deeply," said Ang, of Austin.
With his parents' approval and support, BARRETT enlisted in the Navy at age 17.
"We were in the midst of World War II, and he wanted to do his part to serve his country," said his sister, Billie BARRETT McClure of San Angelo.
BARRETT spent almost 10 years with the Navy, where he served in World War II and the Korean War before joining the Army in 1953. In the Army, BARRETT served in Vietnam.
All told, he earned more than 13 decorations for his service. They include a Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam; a National Defense Service Medal for serving in the Korean War; and a World War II Victory Medal.
"He was not one to brag about anything," McClure said.
BARRETT only shared mementos, photos and a few camping techniques he learned while on tours of duty with his nieces and nephews.
There was, however, one facet of his work he enjoyed sharing.
"He was a paratrooper, and he did talk about jumping out of airplanes in the Army," Ang said. "He loved jumping out of airplanes."
After retiring in 1971, BARRETT came back to San Angelo and opened BARRETT Texaco with his older brother Sam. The two operated the gas stations at North and South Bryant Boulevard until the late 1970s.
Retirement also gave him the chance to attend every Central High School football game and Lake View basketball and baseball games.
"Red had season tickets for Bobcat games, and he always sat at the same spot," McClure said, "and he never missed a Lake View basketball or baseball game."
With the usual friends, BARRETT attended the March 24 Lake View baseball game in Big Spring, where he collapsed. He died almost two weeks later in a San Angelo medical facility.
"He was a big supporter of the local teams," said nephew David BARRETT of Austin. "He had a big heart, and it was just tired."
SAN ANGELO — Willis T. "Red" Barrett, 79, of San Angelo passed away March 2, 2006, in San Angelo. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, in Johnson's Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Don Ardrey officiating. Interment will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Red was born April 29, 1926, in Cherokee, Texas, to his parents Daniel D. and Laura Ann Taylor Barrett. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 during World War II and also served during the Korean War. In 1953, Red enlisted in the United States Army and served through the Vietnam War until his retirement as a command sergeant major in July of 1971. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister,Adeline Willa (Barrett) Flanigan; and two brothers, Winifred Samuel "Sam" Barrett
and Daniel D. Barrett Jr.
He is survived by his loving family, sister BILLIE BARRETT MCCLURE of San Angelo; nieces and nephews Pat Flanigan, Mike Flanigan, Ike Flanigan, Sam Flanigan, Fred Flanigan, Sam Barrett, David Barrett, Bill Barrett, Alicia Ang, Carla Potter, David McClure and Daryl McClure; numerous great-nieces and nephews; and other family members. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, at Johnson's Funeral Home.
Johnson's Funeral Home
GREEN BERET PIONEER HUMBLE ABOUT SERVICE
Willis T. "Red" BARRETT was admired most for what he talked about the least.
BARRETT, of San Angelo, spent 28 years in the U.S. Navy and Army before retiring as a command sergeant major with the Army Special Forces, commonly called the Green Berets.
"He was very humble about that," said Alicia BARRETT Ang of her uncle. "He never talked about what he did."
BARRETT died Sunday. The 79-year-old was known to his family and friends as "Red," for the color of his thick hair.
He had no children of his own but was close to his extended family. A command sergeant major is the senior enlisted adviser to the commanding officer, who is in charge of a military unit. According to relatives, BARRETT was one of the nation's first Green Berets. They are an elite group trained for unconventional warfare and special operations.
"He just loved this country deeply," said Ang, of Austin.
With his parents' approval and support, BARRETT enlisted in the Navy at age 17.
"We were in the midst of World War II, and he wanted to do his part to serve his country," said his sister, Billie BARRETT McClure of San Angelo.
BARRETT spent almost 10 years with the Navy, where he served in World War II and the Korean War before joining the Army in 1953. In the Army, BARRETT served in Vietnam.
All told, he earned more than 13 decorations for his service. They include a Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam; a National Defense Service Medal for serving in the Korean War; and a World War II Victory Medal.
"He was not one to brag about anything," McClure said.
BARRETT only shared mementos, photos and a few camping techniques he learned while on tours of duty with his nieces and nephews.
There was, however, one facet of his work he enjoyed sharing.
"He was a paratrooper, and he did talk about jumping out of airplanes in the Army," Ang said. "He loved jumping out of airplanes."
After retiring in 1971, BARRETT came back to San Angelo and opened BARRETT Texaco with his older brother Sam. The two operated the gas stations at North and South Bryant Boulevard until the late 1970s.
Retirement also gave him the chance to attend every Central High School football game and Lake View basketball and baseball games.
"Red had season tickets for Bobcat games, and he always sat at the same spot," McClure said, "and he never missed a Lake View basketball or baseball game."
With the usual friends, BARRETT attended the March 24 Lake View baseball game in Big Spring, where he collapsed. He died almost two weeks later in a San Angelo medical facility.
"He was a big supporter of the local teams," said nephew David BARRETT of Austin. "He had a big heart, and it was just tired."
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