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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