James Barrett passed away peacefully at his home on July 20, 2021 in Palm Bay, Florida, at the age of 78 after a courageous battle with COPD and cancer. A private funeral service for family only is being held August 1 at Florida Memorial Garden in Rockledge. The family will hold a Celebration of Life Memorial in November, location to be determined.
James was born in Houston, Texas, to James Alvro and Alice (Stephens) Barrett. James was always interested in the water and was a Sea Scout in high school. That interest evolved into a passion for space, pursuing a degree at the University of Oklahoma to that end. However, he was sidetracked to the U.S. Air Force and memorable travels to such sites as the islands of the Bering Sea and Eniwetok Island in the Pacific. Later, as a civilian, James worked for Computer Sciences Corp. in Northern Virginia, and Harris Corporation in Palm Bay, FL, from which he retired in 2005, after 25 years.
In 1969 James married Anita Leone, who was teaching in Vienna, VA. They raised three daughters: Emily Marcella and Aimee Barrett, living in Orlando, and Karin Ebuen living in Jacksonville. He also enjoyed three grandchildren: Mary Marcella (18), James Ebuen (18) and Graham Ebuen (16).
Most of James’ spare time was spent working on electronic inventions and his pride and joy, a 1967 Sunbeam Tiger (as seen in an early James Bond movie). He not only drove it but also modified it to add a bigger engine. He was always building something.
James most likely will be remembered for his strange sense of humor that befuddled those who didn’t know him well.
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