Paul Barrett

Paul Barrett, aged 72, passed away at home on Saturday, March 8th, 2025, surrounded by family and friends after a battle with cancer.
Paul was born to Richard and Joyce of rural East Grand Forks. Growing up on a dairy farm, he learned to be a jack of all trades. He was always on the go, eager to learn, and willing to share the vast knowledge that he collected from his years of experience as a tow truck driver, mechanic, radio operator, high school teacher, surveyor, census taker, NWS Storm Spotter, and most recently USDA Enumerator.
But at heart, Paul was a farmer. Even if he was not actively farming for himself, you could find him driving the midnight shift during sugar beet harvest, going to ag-expos, or galivanting around the countryside interviewing other farmers for the USDA. He seemed to know everyone, and everyone knew him.
Always willing to lend a helping hand, Paul loved people. More importantly, he loved to make people laugh. He always had a joke, limerick, or cartoon ready to share to lighten any mood. However, the laughter he cherished most came from his one true love, his wife of over 50 years, Marilyn. Her laugh lit up his eyes and his laugh made her giggle even more - especially when he laughed at his own bad jokes.
Paul believed in the value of fixing, repairing, and repurposing anything he could. His supply of "I might need it in the future" items was vast. Some may question the method of his madness, but he always managed to get "something figured out" when he put his mind to it. His presence will be noticeably missed by all who knew and loved him.
Paul was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother to his surviving family including his wife, Marilyn, daughters Liz and Emily, grandchildren Alex and Ronin, and his siblings John, David, Carolyn, Glenn, Sandy, and their respective families.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you follow in Paul's footsteps, donating to a charity, such as a food pantry or the Red Cross, and help those in need without expectation of anything in return. The family will also be donating in his name to the Cancer Center in place of Thank You notes as appreciation for all their kindness and care in his final years.
To commemorate his personality, please wear your most comfortable T-shirts, jeans, and farmer hats when you come to celebrate his life at United Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 11 a.m.