Michael Dwane Barnett, owner of A-Perm-O-Green Lawn of the Quad Cities, Inc., died Saturday, August 22, 2015 in Bryan, Texas. He passed away unexpectedly doing what he loved, working outdoors. Michael and his wife of 34 years, Rebecca Ann “Becky” Barnett née Harris had worked together side by side at A-Perm-O-Green Lawn since 1979, while both were undergraduate students at Texas A&M University, where Michael studied Accounting. They married in Dallas, Texas on July 25, 1981 and acquired ownership of the company in 1984. Mike loved to sing to Becky; they were inseparable.
He was born November 20, 1959, in Lufkin, Texas to Robert K. Barnett and Beatrice “Joann” Waldron. He lived in various cities in the United States while his father served in the US Marine Corps. Mike moved with his family, including brother, David, and sister, Cheryl, to Bryan, TEXAS in 1975. Michael became a star athlete in track & field at Bryan High School, where he excelled as a middle distance runner and represented Bryan in the Texas High School State Meet in 1977. He also ran track for a brief time for Texas A&M University.
Michael and Becky lived in Conroe, Texas from 1984 to 2004, before moving to Montgomery, Texas in 2004. They have two beautiful daughters, Jennifer Nichole Barnett and Emily Elaine Barnett, both of whom followed their parents to Texas A&M University. Jennifer earned her B.S. and M.S. in Biomedical Sciences and has entered the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. Emily is an undergraduate in Biomedical Sciences and is engaged to Aaron Childers, a recent graduate of the Colorado School of Mines. Both girls developed a strong work ethic following their father’s example. Mike was extremely proud of both of his girls and they will always be Daddy’s girls.
As owner of A-Perm-O-Green Lawn, he enjoyed working alongside his team of talented technicians, serving his customers. He was a lifelong runner and basketball player, an accomplished skier on snow and water, loved boating and fishing. He loved Aggie Football and stood with his 12th Man Family. He also loved working on his own yard designing a beautiful landscape. Mike cherished his time spent with family and friends. He loved watching movies with family, who knew he would invariably fall asleep before the conclusion. According to his daughters, he was rumored to be the leading renter of movies from Blockbuster. Mike lived the scripture to “...love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Friends, neighbors, and Michael’s large, extended family said he was the happiest person they have ever met. Invariably he would wake up talking, whistling or singing first thing every morning and throughout the day, often singing Christmas carols in mid-summer. He was also a student of history and politics, and loved sharing his opinions with family and friends and anyone who would listen.
Michael is survived by his wife of 34 years, Rebecca, daughters, Jennifer and Emily, brother, David Barnett of Commerce City, Colorado, sister, Cheryl (Ken) Russell of Nacogdoches, Texas, brother and sister in-laws, John (Angela) Harris of Tomball, Texas, Deborah (George) Hargrove of McKinney, Texas, Sandra (Eddie) Culpepper of Deerfield Beach, Florida, Scott (Ambra) Harris of Glenn Heights, Texas, step-siblings, Vickie Wright of Lufkin, Texas, Nancy (Royce) Hudgins of Gilmer, Texas, Dennis Scroggins, Doyle (Wanda) Scroggins, and Donna (Robert) Deason of Nacogdoches, Texas, Blane (Dorothy) Scroggins of Liberty, Texas. He is also survived by his best friend and brother-in- law, George Hargrove and dear family friend, Debbie Davidson of Comfort, Texas, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and aunts. He leaves behind many cherished friends and wonderful customers. He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert & Joann Barnett, and step-mother, Ellen V. Barnett, step-sibling Teresa Bryan of Nacogdoches, Texas.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 26, 2015 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at Cashner Funeral Home, 801 Teas Road, Conroe, Texas 77303, in the Cedar and Green Rooms. The funeral service will be held at 12:30pm on Thursday, August 27, 2015 at the Cashner Colonial Chapel, Conroe, Texas. Graveside Interment will be on Friday, August 28, 2015, at 12:00pm at Restland Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243.
His wife, Rebecca, and daughters, Jennifer and Emily, request donations, in lieu of flowers, to: Texas Children’s Cancer Center - Attention: Jamee Rivera “In Memory of Michael Barnett”, 6701 Fannin, CC 1510, Houston, Texas 77030. You are invited to view our webpage and leave written tributes to the family at cashnerconroe.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18