John Edward Barrett

1951 - 2019

John Edward Barrett

Buckeye - John Edward Barrett, age 67, of Buckeye, Arizona, died on November 24, 2018, following a long and courageous battle with esophageal cancer. He was born on October 19, 1951, in Bethel, Alaska, to Emily (Lee) and Kenyon Wayne Barrett. Due to his father's employment with the F.A.A., the family found themselves stationed in a number of places throughout the intervening years, including Hickory, NC, Buckeye, AZ ...where he spent the better part of his childhood … Palmdale, CA and Tempe, AZ. But Buckeye was the place that held his heart and finally called him home.

He was a graduate of McClintock High School, class of 1969, where he excelled in English, art and music. After graduation, following in the footsteps of his father and his uncle, John Owen, John joined the navy and was soon stationed in Antarctica as part of the ongoing project, Operation Deep Freeze. It was during this time that John discovered his deep love for travel and adventure. Throughout his life, whenever possible, John would heed the call of the wild in old haunts or newly discovered places and would indulge his love of camping, fishing and quality time spent with Mother Nature.

John was a talented and prolific artist who especially loved working with oils, and acrylics. His artwork was both whimsical and moving. He was also an incredibly gifted musician who played a wide variety of instruments including the guitar, keyboard, drums, French Horn and coronet and had a beautiful, mellow baritone singing voice. He loved writing short stories incorporating many of his travel adventures, and in his later years, tried his hand at acting using his wicked wit and dark sense of humor to good stead as a stand up comedian playing various venues within Arizona. He was also an amazing cook known for his famous mashed potatoes, creamed peas and the Barrett clam dip, with his 'secret' ingredient.

On February 14, 1976, John married the love of his life, Ramona (Mona) Hammond, who remained at his side for 42 years until the time of his death. John was preceded in death by his parents and his adored daughter, Jessica 'Pooker' Barrett. He is survived by his wife, Mona, and his much loved children, daughter, Jennifer Barrett Rodriguez and her husband, Gustavo of Buckeye, AZ; their two daughters, Harlee and Ramona (Romee) Rodriguez; his son, Jason Edward Barrett and his wife Melissa of Chandler, AZ, and their three children, Brooklynne, Jonathan and Brynlee Barrett. He is also survived by his sister, Linda Jean Barrett of Tempe, AZ, and his nephew, Christopher John Lotti of Belle Vernon, PA, as well as his brother, Stephen. He is also mourned by his mother-in-law, Ramona Bult and sisters-in-law, Tamara Lee Hammond and Jacqueline Landis Grove. And last, but certainly not least, he is greatly missed by his beloved bulldogs, George and Walter.

As per John's request, a traditional Irish wake will be held in his memory on March 17th, attended by his family and close friends where toasts of his favorite Irish whiskey will be made, songs and his favorite music will be played, his favorite foods consumed, and stories shared with accompanying tears … but mostly a great deal of laughter as the life of this remarkable and much loved man is celebrated.