Obituary of Samuel Allie Barrett

Sam Barrett died May 15, 2015, just a couple of months shy of his 91st birthday. Service: 10:15 am Tuesday, May 19, Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas. After the burial, the family and friends will gather to remember Sam at the home of Dan and Debra Barrett, 5517 Byers Avenue in Fort Worth. Visitation: 6 pm - 8 pm Monday, Martin Thompson & Son Funeral Home, 6009 Wedgwood Dr., Ft. Worth. He was a native Texan who returned to his home state in 1971 after a career in the US Air Force that took him and his family all over the globe. He began his military service during World War II in the Navy, along with his entire family - father, brothers, and sisters. He took a break from his service on a mine sweeper in August of 1945 to marry Joyce, an event that he always said was instrumental in ending the war - once Joyce Barrett had a connection to the US Navy, the Japanese surrendered unconditionally three days later. He and Joyce spent the next seventy years together. After the war, Sam graduated from the University of Colorado and Officer Candidate School and began his Air Force career. Initially with the Inspector General's office and later in nuclear munitions, Sam retired in 1970 as a Lieutenant Colonel and began a second career with the University of Texas at Austin. After retiring for the second time, Sam and Joyce moved to north Texas. A devout man, Sam lived his life as an example to his sons, to whom he gave the following two "don'ts": Don't forget that God is in charge and Don't compromise your integrity. His love for his family - wife, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and in-laws, whether natural or "adopted" was phenomenal. He was the kindest, gentlest, and most loving of souls. He will be sorely missed but all whom he touched will be better for it. Survivors - his beloved wife, Joyce; sons Sam (Linda) and Dan (Debra), grandchildren Shona, Rory, Chase; his sister Betty; a host of nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, "adopted" kids, and friends all over the world.