Rick Barrett, CPA
Jan 2, 1949 - Aug 8, 2013
Published in Tyler Morning Telegraph from Aug. 10 to Aug. 11, 2013.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Richard H. Barrett III will be held Monday, Aug. 12, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church in Tyler with visitation to follow after the service. The Rev. Matthew Boulter will be officiating.
Rick passed into his eternal life on Aug. 8, 2013, while under the care of The Hospice of East Texas after a brief but brave battle with pancreatic cancer. Rick was born Jan. 2, 1949, in Commerce, to Coy Cook Barrett and the late Richard H. Barrett Jr. He moved to Tyler at a young age where he attended Tyler schools, graduating from Robert E. Lee High School in 1967.
Rick attended Tyler Junior College and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 1971. He returned to Tyler to pursue a career as a certified public accountant, opening his private practice in 1980 and in 2010 forming Barrett & Thomas P.C. He considered his occupation an opportunity to counsel and encourage his clients, and felt God often led people to his office for that reason.
Rick was active in his church as well as community and professional organizations. He received great joy while serving as a rotating treasurer of Christ Episcopal Church. He also enjoyed serving on the Accounting Advisory Board and the Planned Giving Board at The University of Texas at Tyler.
He had been active on the boards of Historic Tyler Inc., the East Texas Symphony Orchestra, PATH and the Smith County Orchid Society in recent years, and held the position of treasurer of the REL Class of '67 for more than 35 years.
Rick was never happier than when he was in the midst of God's creation and enjoyed growing orchids in his greenhouse and tending bonsai in his backyard. He loved all of his critters, including his dogs, cats, box turtles, koi fish, squirrels and birds, and could often be seen driving through the Azalea District in his convertible with his furry pal, Toby, by his side.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Karen Barrett, of Tyler; and mother, Coy Barrett, also of Tyler. He is also survived by son, Eric Ralls, of Nashville, Tenn.; daughter, Luci Barrett Mimms, of Tyler; son, Shawn Ralls and wife, Mandy, of Oakland, Calif.; daughter, Claire Barrett Patrick and husband Chance, of Pflugerville. He is survived by three grandsons, Logan Mimms, of Tyler, and Sutton and Hayden Ralls, of Oakland, Calif. His three siblings survive him: brother, Phil Barrett; and sisters, Jena Judd and Jan Rogers. He will be greatly missed by his extended family of in-laws, nieces and nephews, co-workers, friends and Brady's Coffee Shop buddies.
If desired, memorials may be made to: Christ Episcopal Church Memorial Garden, 118 S. Bois d'Arc Ave., Tyler, 75702; Samaritan Counseling Center, 100 E. Ferguson St., Tyler, 75702; or the SPCA of East Texas, P.O. Box 132889, Tyler, 75713.
