Richard Don Barrett

Born on October 29, 1948, at Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, Richard was the son of Wilbur and Ila (Brown) Barrett of Maxwell, Iowa. He graduated from Maxwell High School in 1967 and went on to master his trade as a mechanic at Des Moines Area Community College.

A man of quiet duty and fierce patriotism, Richard answered the call to serve his country during the Vietnam War. From 1969 to 1970, he served proudly in the United States Navy as a Seabee. His time in the service shaped a lifetime of discipline and work ethic. Upon returning home, he channeled that grit into his community, building a successful business from the ground up as the owner and operator of Dick’s Auto Repair in Maxwell.

In 1968, Richard married Carol Marie (Earles) at the Collins Christian Church in Collins, Iowa. Together, they built a life rooted in hard work and commitment to their family, raising two sons, Dirk Sterling and Joshua (Josh) Alan.

Richard was a man of few words, but his actions spoke with absolute clarity. He did not boast, nor did he demand attention; instead, he chose to be the stoic, immovable rock his children and grandchildren could always rely on. He loved passing down knowledge in the garage as they worked on cars, teaching them new skills in the woodshop, or just being a fixture in the stands and auditoriums, showing his quiet support at baseball games, band concerts, and choir performances.

He found satisfaction in the simple, honest things in life: precision woodworking, going to the gun range, a quiet day of fishing, and classic road trips with family and friends in pursuit of Iowa's best tenderloin—frequently stopping at Starbucks in Nevada, Iowa. He loved being with his family from grilling on the patio to making his famous chocolate cake at Christmas, a family tradition of his own making. A protector by nature, he held a deep affection for his loyal dogs, from his old basset hound, Suzanne, to his grand-corgi, Declan.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Ila.

His legacy of strength and resolve carries on through his family. He is survived by his wife, Carol; his eldest son, Dirk, and daughter-in-law Danielle, along with their son, Sean; and his youngest son, Josh, and daughter-in-law Lisa, along with their children, Jena and Jordan.

A private family ceremony with military honors will be held on July 9, 2026, at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa, where Richard will be laid to rest among his fellow service members.

The family stands grateful for the community's respectful thoughts and support during this time.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation made in Richard's memory to support veterans in finding community and fighting PTSD by supporting Des Moines Irreverent Warriors (https://irreverentwarriors.donordrive.com/desmoinesgen) or any cards filled with memories of Richard and messages of hope sent to:

Carol Barrett

P.O. Box 62

Fontanelle, Iowa 50846