Samuel (Sam) Richard Barrett was born on January 23, 1944, in Cooper, Texas. He was the son of Peter and Edna Barrett. He grew up in Houston, Texas, where he attended Smiley High School.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July 1962 and headed off to boot camp in California. He had a long miliary career in electronics. He was stationed at a variety of naval bases located in places like the Philippines, Ireland, Scotland, Maine, Virginia Beach, Corpus Christi and Beeville, Texas. He retired from military service after serving his country for over 20 years.
At the end of his military career, he attended Corpus Christi State University, where he received a bachelor’s in business administration in 1985, an accounting degree in 1989, became a CPA in 1990, and a certified fraud examiner in 1989. His primary focus was auditing companies for mergers and acquisitions.
He retired from his second career to spend more time with his wife and family. He enjoyed flying miniature aircraft for Barnstormers in New Waverly, Texas, restoring his brother’s 1984 Mustang, working on his homestead, rescuing needy felines, filming a menagerie of local wildlife, and acquiring a variety of chickens which live in a coop Sam built, because it had to be perfect for his chickens – and it was. There was not a question he couldn’t answer or a subject he knew nothing about. He was dearly loved by his family and friends and will be missed very much.
Sam passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Conroe, Texas after an unexpected illness. He was 81 years young. He is predeceased by his parents, Peter and Edna Barrett, and his brother, Stephen Barrett. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Donna Barrett; son, Travis Barrett of Texas; daughter Shelley Barrett- Retiz and husband Keanan Reitz of Coldspring, Texas; sister, Theresa Macek and brother-in-law Steve Macek of Florida; grandchildren, Brian Barrett of N.C., Keven Barrett of N.C., Taylor Clark of Mo., Trysten Clark of Mo. and Justin Clark of Coldspring, Texas; and five great grandchildren.
The family gathered at Pace Funeral Home at noon on Friday, March 7, 2025. A service for family and friends was held on March 8, 2025. Sam was interred at Center Hill Cemetery in Oakhurst, Texas at 3 p.m. with Minister Jack Williams officiating. Military honors were provided by VFW Post 8568.
