October 30, 1929 - January 8, 2024
Thomas Edward (Tom) Barrett was born to Ellen Sophia Johnson and Harvey Earl Barrett on October 30, 1929, in Roselle Park, New Jersey. Tom joined three older brothers, (Jack, Bill, and Don); two years later, brother Richard was born, completing a Barrett household of five active boys. The family moved to Catonsville, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore, where they lived on the famous Maple Avenue through their formative years. Tom’s father, a Naval Architect, instilled in all of his boys the value of honest work, and taught all of them the skills which carried through to successful adulthood.
Tom was graduated from Mt. St. Joseph High School and attended the University of Maryland prior to joining the United States Air Force. Following his discharge from the Air Force, he remained in Forth Worth, Texas where he had been stationed at Carswell AFB (now the Joint Reserve Base). In March of 1962, he married Anita Goucher whom he met at the First Methodist Church where he served as Director of Activities, working extensively with disadvantaged youth in the urban neighborhood as well as directing sports and weight lifting activities for all church youth.
Tom attended the University of Texas in Arlington, then completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Texas Christian University. In addition to his church work, he was employed at General Dynamics (now Lockheed-Martin) for 30 years, retiring in 1992. In his retirement, he was an avid golfer and spent much of his time at their cottage on Lake Worth. Later he and his wife built their dream home at the lake and lived there until moving to Enid, Oklahoma, to be near family.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Jack, Bill, and Don. He is survived by his wife Anita, always his “Punkin”; daughter from a previous marriage, Paula Godsey, and her husband Dr. Tim Godsey, of Chapel Hill, NC; one grandson, Eric Godsey of Chapel Hill; brother, Dr. Richard Barrett of Sun City, Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews. To his close family members, and especially Jimmy, he was known as “The Love Doctor”!
Tom passed away on Friday, January 8, 2024, in Enid, Oklahoma and per his request, no services will be held. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Anderson-Burris Funeral Home and Crematory. Remembrances may be made by offering a prayer for pain free aging or making a donation to the ESPCA in memory of the pets he cherished through the years.
Condolences can be made to the family online at Andersonburris.com. Honored to be recognized nationally, the past 6 years, for the Pursuit of Excellence award. Because family matters, let us take care of yours. We are proud to own the only crematory in Garfield county and ensure your loved one receives the care and respect they deserve while never leaving our care. Visit 3002 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-2700.
Obituaries are posted, in part, due to the generosity of The Commons.
A United Methodist Retirement Community
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Enid's Only Faith-based, Not-For-Profit, Complete Continuous Care Community. Including Long Term Care, Skilled Nursing, Memory Care, Assisted Living, Independent Living Apartments and Townhomes.
