Gerard Patrick Barrett

Colonel Gerard Patrick "Jerry" Barrett, U.S. Army (Retired) - Age 65, passed away Thursday, October 14, 2010, at his home in Citronelle, AL following a courageous battle with cancer. A native of Lackawanna, NY, Mr. Barrett was a graduate of Canisius High School in Buffalo, NY and attended the Buffalo Diocesan Minor Seminary and St. John Fisher College. Following employment at the former Bethlehem Steel Corp., he joined the U.S. Army in 1966, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1967. During his 27 year military career, he rose to the rank of full Colonel, retiring from service in 1993. He served two tours in Vietnam, with additional postings in Oklahoma, California, Kansas, Alabama, and Germany. While in service, he earned a Bachelor's Degree from Cameron University (Oklahoma) and a Master's Degree from Boston University. He was also a graduate of the Army's Command and General Staff College and Defense Systems Management College. His numerous service awards include two Bronze Star medals with Valor/Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service medal/2nd Oak Leaf Cluster, and several other medals and honors. Following his retirement from the U.S. Army, he worked as a Weapons Systems Analyst at CAS, Inc. in Huntsville, AL, retiring to Citronelle in 2002. Jerry was a long time antique collector and dealer, and an avid fisherman, though his greatest love was his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Betty Averett Barrett; his daughters, Donna (Robbie) Phillips and Jennifer (Jason) Wesley; step-children, Donald Joe Smith and Anita Kaye Foster; grandchildren, Jessica and Jancie Wesley, and Kayla and Kara Phillips; step-grandsons, Reily Rankin and Michael Howell; three brothers, Thomas (Suzanne), James, and Patrick Barrett, and his sister, Mary Rita Yanatsis; and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 8025 State St., Citronelle, AL on Saturday, October 16, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jerry's name to the American Cancer Society, 900 Western America Circle, Mobile, AL 36609. Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com.