George Eugene "Gene" Barrett

CARBONDALE - George E. "Gene" Barrett died at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15 after a three-month battle with complications related to a stroke. During 76 years of raising a family and building friendships across Southern Illinois, he lived life on his own terms. Gene worked hard and played hard - taking pride in his work and taking time to enjoy life, love and friends. Whether it was more than 30 years of leadership at the Carbondale Post Office, 70 years of doing anything for his family, or a lifetime of inflicting varying levels of fear in the hearts of fish, ducks and golf balls, he did it his way. In the end, his friends and family watched with pride as he stubbornly fought his final battles with the same feistiness that they all knew, expected and loved. Gene was born Jan. 4, 1937 in Eldorado and lived there until his family moved to Carbondale in 1954. He excelled in football, track and basketball at both high schools before graduating from Carbondale in 1955. After serving in the U.S. Army - including a deployment in France from 1960-62 - Gene returned to Carbondale, where he married, raised two children and worked for more than 30 years in the Postal Service. To this day, his former colleagues recall his dedication to service and timely deliveries as he ascended through the ranks. After his retirement in 1992, Gene split his time between steadfast support of friends and family, particularly those who were aging or ailing, and seizing every opportunity to enjoy life. Midland Hills Golf Course, Little Grassy Lake and the Big Muddy River all became like second homes and the settings for many cherished memories. He is survived by his wife, Anita "A.J." Barrett of Carbondale; one daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Alan Wills of Marietta, Ga.; one son and daughter-in-law-to-be, Kent Barrett and Kerry Herta of Los Angeles, Calif., two grandsons, Barrett and Tucker Wills of Marietta, Ga.; one sister, Connie Martin of Chatham, Ill.; brother and sister-in-law Bob and Dale Burns of Murphysboro; bother and sister-in-law Vince and Debbie Burns of Pinckneyville; sisters-in-law Susan Burns of Lake St. Louis, Mo. and Susie Crowell of Palm Coast, Fla.; brother-in-law and sister-in law Sam and Linda Crowell of Lady Lake, Fla.; mother-in-law Doris Stoner of Carterville; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Mike and Carolyn Stoner of Goreville; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Beverly C. Barrett; his mother, Jessie Burns; one brother, Roy Burns; two brothers-in-law, Dale Crowell and Jesse Martin; and sister-in-law Sheila Black. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17 at Meredith Funeral Home, with Elder Kitty Martin, Community of Christ, officiating. Friends may call from noon-2 p.m. Memorials are the preferred form of remembrance and may be made to Caleb's Warriors - Relay for Life, CAA Research Center and Hospice of Southern Illinois.



Service:



2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 17, 2013



Meredith Funeral Home Carbondale, Illinois







Visitation:



Noon - 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 17, 2013



Meredith Funeral Home Carbondale, Illinois