BARRETT PETER J

COL Peter J. Barrett was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 04/21/2010 at the age of 72.2 from Cancer
Grapeland, TX
Date of Birth 02/02/1938
Served in the U.S. Army
This information was provided by Barry Geller, SSN search Sep 2010

More detail on this person: Col. Peter J. Barrett (retired), age 72, passed away at home in Tejas Shores, Houston County Lake, on April 21, 2010 following a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Mildred Barrett and father-in-law Jack Allee.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Barrett. Children: Michael Barrett of Astoria New York, Daughter Kate Barrett and husband Robert Schroeder of Whittier, California, son Kevin Barrett of North Attleborough, Massachusetts. Step-sons Brad Bobbitt of Crockett, TX, Matt and wife Cassie Bobbitt, Jackson and Kate Bobbitt; Mother-in law Lorene Allee, brothers-in-law Stephen Allee and Ray and Chelli Turner.

Peter Barrett was born on February 2, 1938 in Brooklyn, NY He graduated from Fordham University in New York City and obtained a master's degree from Syracuse University in Broadcast Journalism. He began broadcasting in 1952, at age 14, as a member of The All City Radio Workshop at WNYE-FM, New York. Worked as on-air personality for WFUV, NY and WAER, Syracuse while attending school. He worked part time as television news talent for NBC affiliate WSYR, Syracuse.

He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant Regular Army upon graduation from Fordham as a Distinguished Military Graduate. He served in the U.S. Army 24 years as aviator, aviation unit commander and public affairs officer. Spent two tours of duty in Vietnam as Assault Helicopter Company Commander. He was awarded 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2 Bronze Star Medals and 19 Air Medals. Colonel Barrett retired in 1983 as Deputy Director of Armed Forces Broadcasting Service Programming Center, Hollywood, CA. He earned the Tom Lewis Award as Department of Defense Outstanding Military Broadcaster.

Upon retiring from the Army, he spent two years as staff announcer for the NBC Television Network in Burbank, and as a Free lance voice-over talent in Los Angeles and Houston. He was affiliated with KIVY, in Crockett TX as on-air talent in news and special programming. for several years. Peter had a love for theater and performing arts of all genres. He was known as "The Voice of Piney Woods Fine Arts." He was an accomplished actor and director of performances in Houston County and all over the United States. He was also an avid ukelele player, traveling to Conroe twice weekly to perform with the Happy Strings Band at Conroe First Baptist Church. He attended the First Baptist Church, Grapeland.

Peter began playing the ukelele when he bought an "Arthur Godfrey" plastic uke for $5.00 at age 14. He quickly progressed to a baritone uke to emulate his radio idol and has been playing ever since. His only picture in the Fordham College Yearbook is on Jones' Beach, Long Island with uke in hand. He discovered the banjo ukelele in a flea market in Saigon in 1966.

A Memorial Service for Peter Barrett will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to The American Cancer Society 212 Gene Samford Dr., Lufkin, Texas 75904 or The Piney Woods Fine Arts Center.

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 08/31/2024


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