Thomas Barrett

Thomas Barrett, age 85, died on July 27, 2026. Tom was born July 24, 1941 in Kalamazoo to Joseph Walter “JW” and Helen (Reddy) Barrett. He Attended Barbour Hall Military Academy for a portion of his elementary school years meeting five of his lifelong friends. Then he went to Saint Augustine School and graduated in 1959. During his senior year at Saint A’s, he met the love of his life, Patricia Ann Keller. They married on October 8, 1961. He worked at his father‘s family grocery store and meat market in Scott’s. He was also a door-to-door salesman selling sewing machines. He then went to work for Eckrich meat and from there he ended at General Motors in Kalamazoo until the plant announced its closing in 1993 and took a transfer to Mansfield Ohio to finish out until he retired 1999. In the mid ’70s, Tom & Tom’s Trailer Sales became a joint business with his best buddy, Tom and Arlene Moser, and his wife Pat. He and Pat then moved to Florida after retirement and managed his brother Terry’s franchise of Quizno’s for a couple of years. They resided in Florida for 12 years but couldn’t help but return to Michigan to be around family and to be part of Barrett’s SmokeHouse, his son Tim and daughter-in-law Lori’s business. Tom and Pat were the fudge makers, curriers, and burger grillers until Tom’s stroke in 2020. Tom will be greatly missed but knowing he is at peace and with his beautiful wife again brings us comfort.

Tom is preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; sisters: Jane Barrett-Brewer and Sheila Sherman. Surviving are his children: Tim (Lori) Barrett, Kathy (Dave) Rittase, Julie (Brent) Webb, and Amy (Mike) Soule; her grandchildren: Chad (Emily), Samantha (Ben), Dustin (Betsy), Callen, Lauren (Chad), Zachary, Chelsea (Chris), Ellen (Joey), Lily (Mario), and Caleb; siblings: Terry (Jeanie) Barrett and Mary Kay Patterson; as well as many nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Love and Life is being planned for October 8, 2026. Details will be announced via FaceBook. Celebrate Tom’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.