Thomas -Tom- Barrett

Thomas Barrett

Born 6/25/1949

Thomas H. Barrett passed away December 12, 2016 following a long illness over the past two years. Tom was the son of Harry and Lena Barrett, and was preceded in death by his loving son, Thomas Anthony and his father Harry. Along with his mother, Tom is survived by his wife of 46 years Karen (Irwin) Barrett, Daughter Kim Brownfield, Brothers Richard (Julie), George (Vicki), four grandchildren, and 1 niece. Tom was a lifelong resident of Indianapolis, and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. At Tom’s request a private family service and burial have been concluded. A Celebration of Life will be held December 30, 2016 from 6-9pm at Nativity Catholic Church Parish Center, located at 7225 Southeastern Avenue, Indianapolis, 46239. Contributions can be made in his memory to the educational fund for his grandchildren, Tommy and Olivia Brownfield. This fund has been set up and more information will be available at the celebration of life, or contact Karen Barrett. Contributions can also be made in his memory to the Franciscan St. Francis Cancer Center.

Tom Barrett
My Life At-a-Glance
As a Son
I was born in 1949 to Harry and Antonina (Georgi) Barrett, one of 3 boys – St Francis, Beech Grove, In. I feel very lucky and blessed to have gotten the great Mother and Father that I did. Growing up for me, was a wonderful thing – having parents that loved, taught, disciplined and raised you thru thick and thin. Thanks so much for having given me the up-bringing that makes me not only appreciate you, but to also acknowledge pride of your influence on me. And also, not to mention the family unit that you provided, the many sacrifices in raising 3 boys from humble means, but mostly the lifelong heart felt great memories that you made possible for me. That, along with having had us baptized into the Catholic faith and the education we received. That experience made us not only become a believer in God, but a believer in ourselves as well, and is a credit to you both! ………….. Love always
As a Brother
I was the middle of three boys, one brother 2 years older and one, 5 years younger. I always felt good about that, seems I always had two buddies under one roof throughout my younger life. I had a big and little brother to grow up with, and the memories are the best a boy could ever have. I never ever once thought or felt in any way that being the middle kid was in anyway a pecking order disadvantage. I feel blessed to have had two brothers that made me laugh, made me better, made me proud, and always helped me out along the path of life. For that, I thank and love you both.
As a Husband
I’m not sure I can possibly find all the important words needed to complete this chapter. I’ll start with just saying “I love you” to the one person who stole my heart at 20, and has kept it safe inside hers ever since. For over 45 years I have had the honor of having Karen as my soul mate and my better half. Since I’ve first met her my first thought I always have when thinking of her is not just how great a person she is, but how much better a person she is and always has been then me. And also how lucky I was that she actually liked me. God gave me the best gift ever when he made it possible for us to fall in love. Thanks Karen so much for your patience, your understanding, your tolerance, your support, your comforting of my weakness’s, your navigating me from a boy to a man, and for just being you until the very end. PS, I’M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU, JUST MORE. Always remember!

As a Father
The two most special moments of my life have to be the births of my children. I was 21 years old and 22 years old at the times of both of God’s miracles given to us. Being just a kid myself, was such a motivator for doing the best I could for the four of us. It was just a magical time and how could it not be with two such wonderful, beautiful, and amazing little kids to have in my life. The memories of holding you both as infants, the smiles, the hugs, the dreams that never faded, the wonderful times we shared, hearing you say hello dad, watching you grow up and become adults, and of course the love that will never end. I think the best formula for being a dad is to take the best from what your dad did for you, and try your best to add and pass on some more good things of value to your children. And most importantly, try never to be too far away when they need you, and never ever make distinctions between them. I can only hope I did ok as a father, I tried my best and loved you both. To be a child is to know the joy of living, but to have a child is to know the beauty of life! Love forever, Your Father

As a Grandfather
I read a quote that I’ve always remembered that says “What gift has God bestowed on man, that is so dear to him as his own children” Answer? = His grandchildren……. God worked his best miracle for sure in giving us such treasures. The greatest love of all goes into being a part of their lives, and hearing them say I love you pop’s, is probably the best achievement I’ve ever accomplished. So in return, the best gift’s that I’ve tried to provide them has been my time, my love, good roots, wings, faith, unlimited encouragement, trust, and character… I’m hoping it will imprint their memory of me and will remain a part of them that will last forever. To be able to praise them, spoil them, and sometimes let them get away with murder is a grandfather’s job… I think I have earned straight A’s in all three of those categories. I have found so much joy and happiness in being a grandparent that it’s possibly much greater than any other thing I have experienced in life. I also feel the more they learn from us, the more I think we learn from them………..Day by day kids come to know a little bit more of what we know, a little bit more of what we think, understand and feel, in truth they are becoming what they believe we are wanting them to become. That’s a good thing from how I see it! Pop Pops Babies Forever!!!

As a Friend
I’ve always admired people who were able to acquire multiple close friends. This is the one area of life for me I will admit that was not one of my best traits. I do feel that I did make many friends along the way, I’m just admitting that I was more responsible for being the weaker link of the closeness….. Just saying! ……. So, to everyone that I considered my friend and to anyone who considered themselves a friend to me, thanks for caring and for having me in your world. Life is a funny process and some people including me, do have a way of letting distance, time, excuses, something always more important, as well as other break downs of friendship’s get in the way. So to the friends that I do have, my life is filled with fantastic memories of all of you, and I love and appreciate you all, just in case you thought I didn’t. And I wish both of you the best! LoL!!!!

As a Soldier
The late 60’s was a turbulent time for 18 year old boys just wanting to grow up into young men. The thought of Vietnam was a scary reality for most of us less fortunate group of Middle American males. We knew from our brothers, relatives, and friends that things over there were just a political killing field for our young and innocent generation. The day I received my draft papers at 18, was the first time in my young life that I felt a fear of the boy inside me not sure about quite yet becoming that young man I thought I was wanting to become. I joined the U S Army Reserves, I felt proud to join and serve, and did so to show my love for our great country. I felt at the time and as I do now that I made the smart choice. However, throughout my life when I think of friends that did not make it, talk to those that did, and see others that came back wounded warriors, I can’t help but feel that I left a bit of my courage at the reserve recruiting station that day!

As a Person
I’d like to think of myself as someone that had a good heart and was a giving type man. As I look back on my life I feel blessed to have had what I had, appreciative to have gotten as far as I have gotten, content that I did not have as much as many, but thankful that I had more than most. Life is a dream, it’s a journey that each of us take. Along the way we see, do, and become who we are. My hope is that for the people who knew me the best, will remember me as someone who enjoyed a simple life, who never intentionally hurt anyone, who was honest and a good worker, who cared about others and who loved his family. I do believe however that life is a dream, and at some point all life fades away. You become a memory, a memory with no other place to stay but in the hearts of those who knew you as the very person you were. …………… I’m good with that. …………….