Arthur Leroy Barrett

Arthur Leroy Barrett was born January 5, 1963 to Mattie Edna Pankonin and Marion Leroy Barret in North Platte, NE.

Art grew up mostly in chase county Nebraska on his grandparents, Ed and Marrie Pankonin farm and ranch. He attended school in Hamlet, Wauneta Enders and Imperial.

When he was in 8th grade he worked on the Box T ranch in Brownlee, Nebraska putting up hay. He spent a lot of time with his uncles, Bill and Dick Pankonin and enjoyed team roping and going to rodeos with them.

When he was 13 his uncle Bill taught him how to drive a cattle truck going down the interstate on the way to Billings, Montana. Art drove and bill took a nap in the sleeper until the fuzz buster went off and woke Bill up to take over.

Art trained horses in Grant, NE while working for several area farmers and ranchers. He drove truck from coast to coast hauling anything and everything. Cattle from Madras, Oregon to Wauneta, animal hides to Pennsylvania, transformers in New Jersey that had to be hauled through New York City. Art Loved trucking and could tell endless stories of the adventures on the road.

Art is survived by his loving best friend for over 13 years, Ivy Ellicott; his children, Cody (Jordan), Colton and Cory Barrett; his granddaughter, Heather; special grandchildren, Holden Lawless, Weston and Jovi Ellicott, who knew him as PaPa or “The Claw”; brothers, Bobbi, Traci and Kelli; sisters, Jackie, Julana, and Flossie; numerous nieces nephews, extended family and friends all of whom will miss Art deeply.

Revelations 21:4

A celebration of life open house will begin on Wednesday, July 23 at 12:00 P.M. at the Wauneta Community building, 323 N. Tecumseh Ave where family will receive friends and spend time sharing stories and exchanging laughter as we honor a wonderful father and friend.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Wauneta Senior Center, Wauneta Fire Department or Palisade Fire Department