Richard J. Barrett

Dick was born in Lafayette, Indiana to father, Woodrow “Woody” Barrett of Orleans, Indiana, and mother, Hazel (Hulse) Barrett of Milford, Illinois, on October 12, 1945. He was raised in Benton County, Indiana where he graduated from the prestigious Boswell High School in 1963, in which he remained a social cornerstone and pillar of that amazing class for the decades to follow. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving from 1963 to 1967. He married Catherine (Erickson) of Paris, France on March 10, 1968 in Dayton, Ohio at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where they met. He then attended IUPUI where he studied political science.

Dick had very diverse and unique experiences over the course of his career including physical therapy, entrepreneurships, hotel management, local politics, and the court system. His greatest accomplishments would be his mastery of the art of conversation and his championship level of trivia expertise. He had a great appreciation of numerous types of instruments and music that were a huge part of his life and would always be thrilled to add great new additions to his vast vinyl record and instrument collections.

He was heavily involved in numerous local Parent Teacher Associations and youth sports leagues, including St. Alban’s Baseball Little League, Northeast Youth Soccer, and John Marshall Youth Basketball. He was often seen in the stands supporting his children and grandchildren at their sporting, school, drama, band, dance, rodeo, or 4H events. He was a true lover of animals and cared for all of his diverse and numerous pets over the years, especially cats and goats.

His love of genealogy and his outstanding ability to recall all he heard, saw, or read resulted in finding some connection with almost everyone he met. He touched the lives of all those around him by believing that “happiness is a way of traveling, not a destination.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, Woody and Hazel Barrett, and his son, Marcus Woodrow Barrett of Indianapolis.

Dick is survived by his wife of 54 years, Catherine; son, Tim Barrett of Fowler, Indiana and his wife, Kami; son, Justin Barrett of Carmel, Indiana and his wife, Kathleen; brother, Larry J. Barrett of Indianapolis and his wife, Sally; brother, Patrick J. Barrett of West Lafayette and his wife, Sue; grandson, Josh Barrett of Fowler and his fiancée, Jamie; grandson, Gabe Barrett of West Lafayette; granddaughter, Maddie Barrett of West Lafayette; grandson, Noah Barrett of Carmel; granddaughter, Emma Barrett of Carmel; step-granddaughters, Jenna Byers and Karissa Byers of Fowler; great-grandson, Jagger James Barrett of Fowler; and former daughter-in-law, Bev Barrett of West Lafayette.

Visitation will be held from 9:00am to 1:00pm and Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm on February 10, 2022 at the Crown Hill Funeral Home in Indianapolis, Indiana with Deacon Kerry Blandford, of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are by Crown Hill Funeral Home.