Richard “Dick” Mills Barrett Sr.
Nov. 18, 1935 – May 28. 2019
Richard “Dick” Mills Barrett, Sr., 83, passed peacefully at his Henrico, VA. home on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. Dick was born in Richmond, VA. to Wilber Burl Barrett and Lucy Inez (Hicks) Barrett. He and his sister, Catherine, grew up in the communities of Church Hill and Highland Park. He also lived in Cincinnati, OH., Highland Springs, VA. and the West End of Henrico County.
Dick attended John Marshall High School and served in the Company ‘D’ Corp of Cadets. In his later life, he served for ten years as president of the board of the John Marshall Cadet Alumni Association where he led numerous Memorial and Labor Day observances at Hollywood Cemetery; facilitated their Virginia Military Institute scholarship program and supported the Cadet program and exhibit at the Virginia Historical Society. Dick was instrumental in the design and placement of the bronze Cadet Statue on the lawn of the John Marshall House in Richmond, VA. commemorating the young men who wore the uniform from 1915 to 1971.
Dick attended Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA. serving as Captain of the Baseball and Football teams where he scored the school’s first touchdown; and in 1997 was inducted into the school’s Alumni Sports Hall of Fame. Awarded a four-year football scholarship at Xavier University in Cincinnati, he earned his Bachelors and a Master of Education. Dick then served as a teacher, coach and administrator in the Cincinnati public school system while putting himself through the Cincinnati College of Law where he earned his Juris Doctor.
Returning to Richmond, Dick joined Henrico County Public Schools coordinating the county’s health, physical education and drug education programs and remained with the school system until retirement. He also attended Virginia Commonwealth Universities Business School Management Development Program and was adjunct faculty at VCU, The University of Virginia as well as consulted with the College of William and Mary. He also provided pro-bono legal services to the community. Dick served six years in the National Guard and three years in the Army Reserves.
Civic minded, patriotic and gifted as an educator and leader, he served on the boards of many alumni and service organizations. Along with his support to the John Marshall Cadet Alumni, he served twice as chairman of the Henrico Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Virginia Capital Area Chapter of the March of Dimes.
Dick had a strong faith in God and was a long time and giving member of the West End Assembly of God Church. In his later years he was an avid golfer and tennis player. In golf he was able to shoot his age on multiple occasions. Dick had many circles of friends that he supported and who supported him as well.
His parents; sister Catherine Barrett Stanley; and niece, Donna Stanley Hancock preceded him in death.
Dick is survived by his son, Richard M. Barrett, Jr., his wife, Kelly and their children, Liam and Megan of Temecula, CA. and Shannon of Buffalo, NY.; son Robert S. Barrett and his daughter, Xenobia of Santa Cruz, CA.; daughter Elizabeth Barrett Allen and her sons, Brandon and Parker of Boston, MA.; and son Ryan V. Barrett, his wife, Kelly and their daughters, Haley, Morgan, Piper and Rory of Provo, Utah; the mothers of his children, Sandra Cheatham Nelson (Richard, Jr.) and Sandra Sanders Barrett (Rob, Beth and Ryan); along with his niece, Sheron Stanley Nunez, her husband, Raymond, and their children; and grandchildren of Chesterfield, VA.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 15 at the West End Assembly of God, 401 N Parham Rd, Richmond, VA. with a reception at the Church to follow.
A commitment of ashes will be private.
Dick expressed his deepest gratitude for the kindness shown by many people during his illness including Beverley and Forrest Matthews, Nancy and Bob Bullock, Sheron and Ray Nunez, Norman and staff at Westbury Deli, and Steve at Steve’s Auto Service.
In lieu of flowers, Dick requested that donations be made in his name to West End Assembly of God or to John Marshall Cadet Memorial Scholarship Fund at VMI Foundation Scholarships, Neikirk Hall, 304 Letcher Avenue, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, Va. 24450.
Rest in peace, Richard.
May the memories of your life be forever cherished by all those you have touched. And may you rest eternally with God.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
May you rest eternally in the arms of our Lord and Savior, Richard. May God bless you.
You are loved, admired and respected. You are a remarkable example for all you touched and we are better for it as a result. You are now at rest and will never be forgotten.
A well dressed southern gentleman you were. Blessings for you in the new life with god.
I will always miss you my brother
Duty, Honor, Country. May you Rest in Peace, your work here is finished. God speed my friend.
You made everyone you encountered smile! You truly were a true example of a man of God. There is no question that you will be greatly missed. I am so glad our paths crossed. I will see you again my friend!
Dick was a great friend and source of support while I was grieving the death of my husband, Joseph Yack. I will always remember his kindness.
Dick was an outstanding student/athlete @ Ferrum College where I was his Football Coach and History teacher. Hid Obit. speaks of his career contributions to his community and fellow-man A LKIFE WELL LIVED AND GODSPEED dICK!! COACH BARNES
The members of Henrico Retired School Personnel Association extend their sincere condolences to the family of Dick Barrett and our appreciation for him many and dedicated years of service to students and staff in our schools. We are also appreciative of his faithful membership and participation in HRSPA.
Dick was a wonderful friend through the years and he never met a stranger. He always had a smile on his face or that funny laugh that he had and he will be truly missed by so many. He was always such a wonderful dresser and a True Southern Gentleman.
God needed another Angel and your work here was completed and I know that our paths will cross again.
God Bless your family and friends and know that you will be deeply missed but not forgotten.
Until we meet again, God speed.
Dick was a wonderful friend through the years and he never met a stranger. He always had a smile on his face or that funny laugh that he had and he will be truly missed by so many. He was always such a wonderful dresser and a Gentleman.
God needed another Angel and your work here was completed and I know that our paths will cross again.
God Bless your family and friends and know that you will be deeply missed but not forgotten.
Until we meet again, God speed.
We had planned to attend the funeral but I have pulled a muscle in my back and, therefore cannon drive. We were so sorry to hear about Dicks death We were close friends at Ferrum and Dick and I were co-captains our last year there. Our condolences are with the family