Thomas W. Barrett III

Thomas W. Barrett III Thomas W. Barrett III was a self-made man and a world-class father with the heart of a lion. He was born in Oak Park, Illinois June 1, 1928. He was a giant of a man in heart and spirit. First, last, always and above all else he was a loving father and grandfather. He is revered by his 4 children and 2 grandchildren and he gave them the most important gift he could...time. He loved to travel with the entire family. He felt he could teach them more about life by traveling with them, sharing himself and showing them the world, so together they could make lasting memories. As a small boy he had a passion for cars and animals. He sold his first car for a profit when he was just 12 years old. He was a champion speedboat racer and one of the youngest successful managers of a car lot in Oak Park, IL. He was forever bringing home stray animals as a child and this didn't stop when he became an adult. He once flew a dog across the country that was abandoned at a toll booth in the Midwest in the dead of winter that had stood shivering in the cold for 6 hours, but dared not move due to the speed of the cars zooming past. Tom moved his family to Phoenix in 1961 & ended up settling in Paradise Valley for the next 45 years. He started out in the real estate business here, but was soon drawn back to his great love for cars. He was known for his boyish charm and good looks and had an ear for the common man yet was comfortable as the honored guest of presidents, kings, princes, sultans & maharajahs. His love of cars took him to all corners of the earth & he was known as "The Greatest Name In Classic Cars" the world over. He was the founder of the Barrett Jackson car auction in 1971 and he traveled 3 weeks a month for 30 years to bring to life the worlds greatest automobiles for all the world to enjoy, touch, see, taste and feel. He loved fast cars as well and was a known presence at the Indianapolis 500 every year from 1949 thru the mid 1990's, in fact one year he sponsored an Australian driver and he came in 2nd place at Indy and it was such a great triumph for him. He was honest, honorable, and bigger than life. He had a kind heart and was very altruistic and helped many quietly & anonymously. He was generous to a fault and always the first one to reach for the check. He was absolutely fearless and could talk to anyone and did! He treated all men the same. They truly broke the mold" when he was born. There will perhaps be no one like him ever again. He once was likened to P.T. Barnum who was a true showman. Those that knew him said he could have sold ice to the Eskimos! He used to say, "everything is for sale", that is, everything but his family! He was a dream maker with amazing energy. He rose early, worked every day, and was a happy man who smiled and laughed easily and would give you the shirt off his back. He had the Midas touch and he parlayed a childhood hobby into the concept of a lasting business in the antique and classic car industry. He was indeed the expert and reached the pinnacle in his quest to do what he loved and love what he did. He had terrific charisma and presence. He wanted to be remembered and he wanted to have made a difference. His soft heart for his family & animals made him touchable and his love for people made him a magnet to all who knew him. He had friends from all walks of life. He lived large and was truly an American original. Tom had 9 lives with several close calls thru the passing years. He had the uncanny knack of being able to gauge the true measure of a man in the first few seconds of eyeballing him. He was a salesman thru and thru. His real passion was for life itself and he had such zest for making the most of every moment. He was the life of the party and he almost made a contest out of seeing who could have the most fun. He shared himself with the masses and was someone you could truly talk to when he didn't have the phone growing out of his ear. He indeed touched all who knew him. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends who loved and adored him because his life did matter, he truly made a difference and he shall be long remembered for his indomitable spirit! God speed dad! He is survived by his children; Sandy, Holly, Catherine and Tom IV, and his grandchildren; Barrett & Holly Taylor and his former wife, Bonnie J. Barrett. Funeral to be held at Valley Presbyterian Church 6947 E. McDonald Dr., Scottsdale, Wednesday April 28, 12:00 noon. Family suggests contributions to the American Diabetes Association, 9034 N. 23rd Ave, #8, Phoenix, AZ, 85021-2850.