Onie Walter Barrett Jr.

Have you ever met a man, and asked yourself, “What will he do next?” If you ever ran into Onie Barrett in his 82 years on this earth, those would be your exact sentiments. Born as a wild, energetic force of nature to Onie Walter Barrett, Sr. and Eoline Pate Barrett on March 14, 1940 in Mobile, Alabama, Onie led a full life of hard-work, hard-play, generosity, and love. He attended U.M.S. Wright in Mobile on a football scholarship, and as his mother said, “Spent a lot of time down at that school, marching,” because that was the punishment for when one acted out. Onie graduated Class of 1958 from U.M.S., and ever the patriot, went on to serve with the United States Navy. He worked for 36 years, mainly as a millwright, before retiring from Kimberly Clark. Onie was a member and former president of two Local Unions in Mobile. His favorite place on earth was on the Mobile River Delta – the mud of this delta literally flowed through Onie’s veins – and it shaped everything about his life. He became an avid outdoorsman: hunting (especially duck hunting), fishing, and a champion alligator wrestler. Onie would spend so much time in the Mobile River Delta, that one of his friends deemed him the “Godfather” of the area.

Now, I’m sure at this point in Onie’s story, you’re wondering what he did in his spare time. This is where the generous side of his soul comes in. A man with four sons, Onie spent a lot of his time volunteering at Mims Park. He coached little league baseball, football, and eventually became the athletic director. Onie was once the marshal for Gulf Pines, and enjoyed golfing quite a bit. He volunteered with the United Way for a very long time, and was awarded the W.O. Monzinga Service Award in 2001. Onie was never one to sit still, and we haven’t even reached his time spent with family and friends!

“Do you know how much I love you?” That was a question he asked of his family and friends often. Onie had a knack for building lasting relationships, and was a very compassionate and likeable character. “You come to me, I’ll take care of it. Don’t you worry.” No one who ever met Onie could forget him, and his word was his honor. Never was there a family or set of friends more loved than those that belonged to Onie. He was generous to a fault, every person he encountered held an importance to him, and he always made you feel safe and cared for. It would be remiss to say that Onie just loved his family – he cherished them with his whole heart, and if you happen to meet his wife Brenda, one of his sons, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren, you will see the legacy of love Onie placed in their hearts. Even his in-laws called him the family-given nickname of “Pawpaw”, because that’s who he was to everyone.

Sometimes, we have to let a star go in order for it to shine, and Onie will be shining over all of us until we meet him again. There is no doubt he will be in heaven eternally, looking down every Saturday in Fall, yelling, “Roll Tide!” at his favorite football team.

Onie was preceded in death by his parents, and one granddaughter, Teresa Barrett Boswick.

He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Brenda Senn Barrett; four sons, Onie Barrett, III (Peggy), Dan Barrett (Darlene), Darren Barrett (Sharee), and Chip Harman (April); grandson, Collin Barrett; granddaughters, Christina Barrett, Taylor Barrett, Hannelore Harman, and Kayla Harman; great-grandson, Rob McInvale; one wonderful sister, Janice Barrett Barron; he and Brenda’s fur-child, dog Benji Lee; three very cherished and close friends, Gary Keith, Ross Harrison, and Liz Haven; and so many more people Onie loved.

Visitation for Onie will be held on Friday, December 16, 2022 from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. at Luke 4:18 Fellowship: 2664 Sollie Road, Mobile, Alabama, 36695, with a funeral service immediately following. Interment will be in Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 34904 AL-225, Spanish Fort, Alabama 36577 at 12:30.

The family will would like to express their eternal gratitude for the care and friendships of Dr. Benjamin Citrin, Dr. Lee Irvin, and Dr. Carl Brutkiewicz for everything they have done for Onie throughout his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Onie’s name to Luke 4:18 Fellowship.