Orlando Tyrone Barnett

Orlando Tyrone Barnett was born February 5, 1943 to the union of Mildred Maxine Bradford and John William Barnett. Tyrone was the eldest of six siblings. He was a beloved husband, devoted father, brother, uncle, grandfather and dear friend. The family resided in Orrville, OH, where the boys and their sister attended schools. The boys exhibited multiple athletic abilities and participated in various sports including football, softball, wrestling, swimming and they were excellent students. Tyrone’s favorite sport may have been softball, but he was good at football, which helped get him awarded a four-year scholarship to Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. While attending there, he joined the ROTC and after graduation, he joined the United States Navy as an officer. His tour of duty took him to many countries. Tyrone served 20 plus years in the Navy, retiring in 1986 as a Commander, an accomplishment of which he was proud. During his military career, Tyrone met and married Tommie Jo Turnell from Athens, GA in 1967. To this union there were three sons, Robert Wilson, William Bradford and Thomas Holland. Each son had the middle name of relatives from their respective parents’ family. Tyrone and the family were stationed in Hawaii for several years before returning to stateside and being reassigned to Springfield, VA in 1979. Tyrone was a devoted husband and family man. He worked hard and probably in many ways expected his sons to do likewise. Maybe because of his military discipline, his sons referred to him as Commander. He instilled in his sons to be the best they could be and encouraged his grandchildren to do the same. He didn't wear his Christian beliefs on his shoulders, but he was active in his local church and during his youth, he was in charge of the Sunday school department. Tyrone accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at the First Baptist Church of Orrville. Shortly after his retirement, Tyrone started a small business. He was awarded military contracts to provide computer services to U.S. Department of Defense service companies. In 1991 Tyrone was inducted into the Orrville High School Hall of Fame, class of 1961. He was presented to the Hall of Fame by his longtime friend, Roy Lockett. In 2003, Tyrone met and married Ruth Early, from Canton, OH. Tyrone passed on April 27, 2020 and has joined his parents, brothers Gregory Eugene, William Michael and sister, Renee Denise, wife, Tommie Jo (TJ) Turnell Barnett. He will be missed by his wife, Ruth Early Barnett, and remembered by his sons, Robert, Bradford (Rita), and Thomas (Tiffany), his siblings Dwight, John Douglas, and John W. His longtime friend, Clarence Reggie Williams; grandchildren: Alexa J, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Noah; sister-in-law, Marie Barnett, and a host of nieces and nephews; extended family members and countless friends.