Barrie Masters

Barrie immigrated to the United States on a Fulbright Scholarship to attend Brown University in 1949. Barrie has a strong appreciation of the sacrifices a nation might have to make to maintain its freedom which became his life motivation so in September 1952 he enlisted in the United States Army. In December 1954 he became a US citizen and a commissioned officer.

Barrie’s military education included the US Infantry School, the US Army Ordnance School, The US Army Artillery and Missile School, the US Army Air Defense School, the US Army Intelligence School, and the US Army Special Warfare School. He also attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University, The Defense Systems Management College, the US Army Logistics Management Center and the Armed Forces Staff College.

Barrie received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Oklahoma, Master of Science in Systems Management from the University of California, Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Central Florida, and Bachelor of Science in Computer Programming from Orlando College.

Some of Barrie’s most cherished assignments were as a Military Advisor to the South Vietnamese Army; Commanding the Artillery Groups in Istanbul, Turkey; and as a Special Forces Commander.

As Colonel, Barrie was the Director of Management and Budget for the National Test Facility, Director of Planning and Analysis , Executive Assistant to the Chief of Research and Development, US Army. Barrie was the Program Director for the MLRS. His responsibilities included technical management, contracting, budget control, quality control, manufacturing, training and testing. He directed the research, development, production and test activities of 20 major corporations to produce the Armies current missile systems. He also chaired a multi-national committee on standardization.

Barrie retired as a Full Colonel from the military in 1979 and worked for Martin Marietta Corporation as the Mission Area Director to manage the development of an International Missile program involving our American, Swiss, French and Italian Consultants. Barrie retired in 1982.

Barrie’s greatest joy in life were the people he surrounded himself with. He loved this Country and embraced every opportunity to help those in need. Barrie’s love and friendship will be forever missed by his wife, Sara, of 30 years, and his children: Rachel Meixsel (Craig), Erin Parker, Amber Parker and Steven Parker (Jenifer), Pamela Mancosky (Doug), Barrie Jr. (Deceased), Joyce Shields (John), David Masters (Deceased), John Masters, 21 grandchildren, and Lucy Liu – his K-9 companion. Barrie is also survived by his sister Christine Purdy of England and will be joined with his brother Philip Masters, and all those who left before him, in our heavenly eternal home. A special friendship and support will be missed by Linda Russow, Jonathan and Ester Nieves, and Will Bowles.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Peters Episcopal Church, Lake Mary, Florida, on Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 1:00pm.