Robert Barrett

Robert Bob P. Barrett, age 84, died in El Paso, Texas on November 27, 2003, following an extended illness with emphysema. He was born on February 22, 1919 in Cynthiana, Indiana, to the late Samuel G. and Virgie B. Barrett. He graduated from Cynthiana High School in 1937 and took several courses at Indiana University. Mr. Barrett married June Feezel in 1940 at a Methodist Church in Indianapolis. Bob and June recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. In 1942, Bob joined the United States Navy and served as a radioman on an aircraft carrier, then in the Soloman Islands with an aircraft command group. He later was transferred to the Naval Air Station in San Diego and discharged in 1945. Bob and June lived in Indianapolis, Indiana from 1940 until 1951 except for his Navy tour in San Diego. In 1951 they moved to Artesia, N.M. where they lived for 47 years. In 1998 they moved to El Paso. He was employed by Indiana State Board of Health in Indianapolis then by AMAX Chemical Corporation in southeastern New Mexico from 1951 until his retirement in 1984. Bob was a member of the United Methodist Church of Artesia where he sang in the choir and served as a Sunday school teacher. He was a member of American Legion Post 41 and served as chaplain. He was a member of Artesia Senior Citizen Center. When he and June were first married, he enjoyed playing the trumpet in a dance band and later sang in a barbershop quartet with Vancil Lowery, C.C. Nelson, and Ben Caudle for several years. Bob had been an assistant coach for Little League baseball and a Cub Master for the Cub Scouts. Mr. Barrett was also a certified teacher of AARPs 55 Alive Driving Course for Mature Drivers. Mr. Barretts survivors, include his wife, June of El Paso, his son Steve and wife, Sherrie of Scottsdale, Arizona; his daughter Sharon and husband, Dan Knorr of El Paso; five grandchildren: Kelly and Jeff Scarbel, Hoboken, New Jersey; Kerry and MattChandler, Tucson, Arizona; Gabi and Mike Keenum, Lubbock, Texas; Steve and Holly Barrett, Corona, Calif.; Daniel and Amy Knorr, Jr., Humble, Texas; and five great-grandchildren; Mikaela and Shaler Keenum, Lubbock; Hanna, Ellie and Faith Barrett, Corona; one sister, Ann Heiser, Princeton, Indiana; sister-in-law Margery Bass of Omaha, Nebraska and 13 nieces and 5 nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Fern Stewart, Lillian Ford and Thelma Jenkins. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday December 2, at the First United Methodist Church in Artesia. The Rev. Paul Dean Duerksen, pastor, will officiate. Interment will be at Twin Oaks Memorial Park in Artesia. Pallbearers will be family members. Relatives and friends are welcome at the Terpening Son Mortuary, 611 W. Grand Ave. in Artesia on Monday December 1 from 1 P.M. to 9 P.M. with the family being present from 5 P.M. until 7 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 500 W Grand Ave, Artesia, NM 88210; Assurance Home, 1000 E. 18th Street, Roswell, N.M. 88201; or Hospice of VNA, 2211 East Missouri Ave, El Paso, Texas. 79903. The family would like to express our appreciation to those who lovingly cared for Mr. Barrett and the staff of the VNA Hospice of El Paso for their help and support.