Mike was born on May 20,1951 in Hartford, Connecticut to loving parents, Holmes Russell “Barney” Barnett and wife Helen Williams Barnett. Mike graduated from Spring Woods High School in Houston in 1969. Following graduation, Mike’s love of people drew him into the restaurant business where he would meet the love of his life, Jayme Lu Braniff. Mike and Jayme spent several years traveling and opening new Friday’s restaurant locations all the while growing their friendship and love for one another. They married September 18, 1981.
Before Mike’s career in the restaurant and wholesale industry, he acquired a passion for finding better building solutions at an early age. As a youngster, he improved his first pair of stilts by adding leather straps, genius! He later learned to build furniture and his home renovations were always much more purposeful than before he put his creative hands on them. Mike built a house from the ground up in Buffalo, Texas. The structure was well organized, systematic and efficient, as only Mike would have it. Most recently, Mike was remodeling an old, used camper. He was looking forward to traveling to new fishing locations and visiting his loved ones in comfortable style. When he wasn’t working on a renovation project, his love of people would find him on one of many golf courses, laughing, sharing a story, or a political opinion, all while working to lower his handicap. Mike loved his daughters immensely and never missed an opportunity to brag about them. His grandchildren brought more love and laughter to his life than he could have ever imagined. He loved playing chess with them, attending their football, basketball and cheerleading competitions. Mike always held his children, grandchildren, siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, close to his heart. All knew how much he loved them because he couldn’t contain from gritting his teeth in that beautiful smile whenever he saw you, and you knew you were going to get a hug that would squeeze the breath out of you. Mike’s wit, his unconditional love and even his political opinions will be missed by so many. Rest well Mike, we will carry you in our hearts till we meet again.
Mike was preceded in death by his father and mother, and his big brother Jack Barnett. Left to mourn the loss but cherish the memories of Mike: Wife, Jayme; daughter and son-in-law Nicole and John White; daughter Meagan Barnett; sisters Kay Braband, Kim Bolt and husband Steve; and his 3 beloved grandchildren Weston, Kinley, and Kate White. Sharing in this sorrowful loss are Mike’s brother-in-laws Mike Braniff (Stacy), Martin, and David Braniff; his sister-in-law Chris Forcier (Rick); Mike’s aunt, Bonnie Dues, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
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