Clancy Erik Barrett

In Memory of Clancy Erik Barrett
August 12, 1947 - May 11, 2025
A Tribute to a Life Well-Lived
Clancy Erik Barrett was born on August 12, 1947, in Toledo, Ohio. He was raised by Love Eriksen Barrett and Robert Donald Barrett. Love and Robert Barrett moved him as a young child to Lakewood, Colorado, where he grew up as an only child, knowing no cousins or other relatives.
Late in her life, when Clancy was in his thirties, Love revealed that she and Robert Barrett had run away with him in the early 1950s. She said his birth name had been Clarence Myron Booher, Jr, and that he had been named for his biological father. Although he later met one of his mother's relatives who filled in a little information, he never found the full truth about his parents. Despite feeling like an orphan his whole life, he found an identity and unique character of his own.
Clancy attended Lakewood High School, where he excelled in mathematics, wrestling, gymnastics, and troublemaking. Most often, his trouble came from standing up to bullies, a trend that continued into his later life. Despite missing the equivalent of an entire year of high school due to fighting or truancy, he achieved a respectable grade point average and earned a place at the Colorado State College (University of Northern Colorado). There he wrestled competitively and earned a BA in Education. One highlight of his wrestling career was his match with Victor the Wrestling Bear, which he did on a dare from his friends. He discovered that you could not pin a bear because of the shape of their shoulder blades. He learned two valuable lessons from this: 1) A deep respect for how dangerous a bear really is, and 2) if someone else makes a proposition, know that it is usually to their advantage.
Over the years, Clancy had many professions. He was a successful professional dog player and greyhound trainer for years (known as "Twin Quin Clancy"), supporting his family with that profession for many years. His success in this was due not to luck, but diligence, hard work, and a deep understanding of probability. He was an excellent salesman, selling automobiles and water processors. His sales success was due to taking the side of the customer rather than the sales team. He felt that everyone could profit and walk away happily if the customer was treated fairly. Later, he was a school bus driver, transportation director, and substitute teacher (math, civics, social studies). As a teacher, he particularly loved teaching middle school. He felt middle school children were old enough to start really thinking about the world, but young enough to still be open to guidance. He was later a blackjack and poker dealer for Harrah's in Kansas City. Clancy was incredibly talented and in demand at all these positions.
Clancy was a person of varied interests and passions. He enjoyed corvettes, working on cars, developing solar energy projects, playing bridge, bowling, conspiracy theories, political philosophy and greyhound racing. As a professional dog player, Clancy traveled to greyhound tracks around the country, meeting unique characters and learning a lot about different strata of society. Clancy also loved the arcade game Ms. Pacman. We believe he held the all-time high score in the game.
He met his wife, Patricia Ruth Haggar, at the Black Hills Greyhound Park in Rapid City, South Dakota. Clancy was training and racing a kennel of greyhounds. He gave Tricia a greyhound named Bootsie as a companion for her retired greyhound, Tony. From that meeting, he and Tricia fell in love. Clancy and Tricia were married in Pierre, South Dakota, on August 7, 1976. They spent the next 48 years together as husband and wife. They had two daughters, Elizabeth and Leia, as well as many dogs.
As a Mr. Mom to his daughters Elizabeth and Leia, Clancy encouraged them to be independent and see their own value. He had seen much tragedy due to his mother's dependence on abusive men, and he was determined that this would not happen to his daughters. He encouraged both his daughters and his wife to study hard-one of his favorite sayings was, "The most important thing in life is to learn." They all took this to heart, achieving advanced degrees in their fields and aiming high in their careers. Clancy also encouraged them to study Tang Soo Do and self-defense with him, so they would be aware and feel safe and confident.
Once he considered someone a friend, Clancy made tremendous efforts with them. His friends were friends for life. They cherished the time spent with Clancy, who was always ready to share a laugh, a story, or a piece of wisdom. Clancy was also deeply committed to giving back to the community. He was active in local politics for a time, even fighting a long-term legal battle over an abuse of power by a school administrator. He volunteered as a wrestling coach, where he helped young athletes improve their skills. He often helped friends and family fix cars and do other home projects. He cherished the family pets – always adopted or rescued. Clancy's generosity and kindness left an indelible mark on everyone he helped.
Clancy is survived by his wife, Patricia, and his daughters, Elizabeth Brooke Barrett, Leia Lynn Barrett-West and her husband Andrew West. He was preceded in death by his mother, Love Marion Eriksen. A devoted husband and father, Clancy's love for his family was unwavering and unconditional. He was a source of strength, support, and joy for his loved ones, who now find solace in the countless beautiful moments they shared.
Clancy Erik Barrett's life was filled with insight, thoughtfulness, and love. His memory will live in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved him. Clancy's legacy continues to inspire and uplift, reminding us of the profound difference one person can make in the world.
In lieu of flowers or memorials, the family requests that donations be made to Regap (Retired Greyhounds as Pets), Dogwood Animal Shelter, or the local animal rescue of choice. A celebration of life with friends will be held Tuesday, May 27th, from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m., in the fellowship hall at the Unity at the Lake Spiritual Center, 16445 North State Highway 5, Sunrise Beach, Missouri 65079.
Rest in peace, Clancy. You will be missed but never forgotten.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel.