Rear Admiral Edwin Britton Barrineau, USN (Ret.), age 85, passed away at the Community Hospice of North Florida Hadlow Center for Caring on Sunday, March 9, 2014 following a 10 month struggle with cancer. He was born in Ocilla, GA to the late Charles Reid and Millie Fletcher Barrineau.
Admiral Barrineau graduated with honors from the Naval War College, earned a BS in engineering electronics from the Naval Postgraduate School, a BS in industrial management from Georgia Tech and an MS in international affairs from George Washington University.
He entered the US Navy in 1948 through the Flying Midshipmen program. He received his aviator’s wings and his commission in 1950, which began a 20 year career as a fighter pilot, flight instructor, and test pilot. He flew many types of airplanes, his favorite being the F-8 Crusader. During the second half of his Navy career, he led programs in electromagnetic warfare and he was a deputy director of the Naval Sea Systems Command. He was also the manager of the HARM missile program. He was decorated twice with both the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal. Admiral Barrineau retired in 1982 after 36 years of service to the United States. Following his Navy retirement, he was the Senior Vice President of west coast operations for the VSE Corporation. After his retirement from VSE, he enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. He took special pleasure in visiting new towns and meeting people along the way. He often expressed his love of his country and he believed that its strength came from its people. He also enjoyed gardening, fishing, and spending time with his grandsons. He was an avid reader and a lifelong learner.
Admiral Barrineau is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Margaret “Margie” Hamilton Barrineau; his children, Cynthia Barrineau Thiele (Mickey), James Britton Barrineau (Andrea), Suzanne Barrineau Garman (Mike); and his grandchildren, Michael Andrew Thiele, Christopher Michael Garman (Tiffany), Gregory Britton Garman, and Aaron Alexander Garman. He is also survived by brothers, Raymond Barrineau (Vivian) and Emory Barrineau; and his sister, Margaret Barrineau Scott. He was predeceased by brothers, Cecil Barrineau, Pete Barrineau, and Billie Barrineau; and sisters, Elizabeth Barrineau Deaton, Martha Barrineau Boggus, Jewel Barrineau Aspinwall, and Hazel Barrineau Yancy.
Admiral Barrineau was a supporter of North Florida Community Hospice, Doctors Without Borders and the ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) Association.
Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Thursday, March 13th in Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin. A private interment will be held at the Jacksonville National Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223. www.hgmandarin.com (904) 288-0025.
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