James William Barrett Jr.

Beloved husband of Molly Barrett (nee Wentworth); loving father to Katie Beimdiek (Steve), Susan Bowen (Patrick) and Lucy Garrison (Benji), step-father to Chris Richardson (Heather) and Chad Richardson (Colleen); dear brother of Chris Barrett (David), Amy Fee (Terry) and Kim Williams; our dearest grandfather “Dodo” to Margaret and Barrett Beimdiek; Avery, Elizabeth, Lucy, and Liam Bowen; Isla, Odin, Will, and Harper Richardson. Dear brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and friend to many. Preceded in death by his parents, Dr. James William Barrett and Margaret Willette Barrett, and brother Peter Barrett.

Jim was born in Orange, New Jersey. He was a long-time resident of New Jersey; Washington, Indiana; St. Louis, Missouri; and most recently of Lakewood Ranch, Florida. He obtained his B.A. from Saint Louis University and his Masters in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. Ever the patriot, Jim had a storied career in the military, beginning with his airborne training and culminating as a Military Intelligence Officer. He served as President of the Mesa, Arizona and St. Louis, Missouri Chapters of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), and was the acting Executive Vice-President of the Tampa Suncoast AUSA Chapter. In the private sector, Jim worked as an international defense contractor and specialized in the military hardware utilized by the Apache AH-64 helicopter, among other defense systems.

Jim unexpectedly passed away after a brief but courageous fight with Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). He doted on his family, in whom he took great pride. He was a master storyteller who loved to entertain especially when it involved grilling by the pool. Jim’s valiant and fighting spirit was an inspiration to all.

The family would like to thank the staff at various medical clinics for their support in the past months, including the Mayo Clinics in Rochester, Minnesota and Jacksonville, Florida; Sarasota CPAP and Oxygen; Millennium Respiratory; the Lakewood Ranch ALS Support Group; and the Doctors and Nurses at Manatee Memorial Hospital.

A memorial service will begin at 10:00 am on Friday, May 28, 2021, at The College Church, St. Louis University, 3628 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108. Full military services and interment will follow at 12:30 pm at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Rd., St. Louis, MO 63125.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Association of the United States Army, 2425 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22201 or the Florida Chapter of the ALS Association, 3242 Parkside Center Circle, Tampa, Florida 33619.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmsrobartsfuneralhome.com for the Barrett family.