Robert Mark Barrett

Robert (Bob) Mark Barrett was born April 15, 1924, in the old farm home near Skidmore, Missouri to Floyd R. Barrett and Okalla (Joda) Suttle Barrett. Bob was an identical twin to Richard (Dick) M. Barrett (Bernice) (Nevada, MO, 1924-2020). He also had a brother, James G. Barrett (Betty), and a sister, Elinor Rose Barrett Gurnon (Bob) who are both deceased.

Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Barrett, with 70 years in marriage. He is survived by daughters Elinor Lea Barrett (Columbia, MO), Susan Barrett Meadows (Boonville, MO), and son, James David Barrett and his wife, Karen Moody Barrett (Springfield, MO). Also surviving are his grandson, M. Blake Barrett Campbell (Colorado Springs, CO), and granddaughter, Amy Barrett (Oxford, MS). He is also survived by many dear nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and
-nephews, and cousins. He enjoyed a special bond with the sons of his twin brother, Robert (Rob) M. Barrett (Susan) (Nevada, MO) and Richard (Rick) M. Barrett Jr. (Nancy) (1951-1998) (Tarkio, MO).

Bob graduated from Skidmore High School, and continued his education at University of Missouri – College of Agriculture where he received a B.S. degree majoring in Soils and Field Crops. His college studies were interrupted by his military service in WWII where he served in a combat infantry division with the 42 ^nd Infantry Rainbow Division. He and his twin brother served together in the same Army unit participating in major battles of Central Europe, Rhineland, Alsace, and Ardennes. They were both awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action in France, Germany, and Austria. Specific campaigns included Germany Nordwind Campaign and the southern portion of the Battle of the Bulge-belonging to 3rd Bn, 232 Infantry. He and his brother also took part in the liberation of the Dachau Concentration Camp near Munich in 1945.

Upon returning from Army service, his first job was on-the-farm training for veterans. Bob went on to become a marketing supervisor with Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company (Columbia, MO), and later, Cameron Mutual Insurance Company (Cameron, MO).

Bob was an ardent member of the Masonic Lodge and belongs to Adair Lodge #366 (Kirksville, Missouri). He was the recipient of the Truman Medal, 2013-14, bestowed by the Grand Lodge of Missouri, for distinguished service to the fraternity. He was honored recently to receive his 75 year membership pin.  He also belonged to the Scottish Rite (Columbia, MO); was a Shriner in the Moila Temple (St. Joseph, MO); and belonged to El Kadir Shrine Club (Kirksville, MO).  While living in Columbia, Bob enjoyed attending the Ashland Masonic Lodge #156, Ashland, MO with his good friend, Ron Miller.

Bob was a member of the First United Methodist Church (Kirksville, MO), and served on the Church board and taught an adult Sunday school class for a number of years. While living in Columbia, he enjoyed attending the Fairview United Methodist Church.

He very much valued his college education at University of Missouri, and was a member of the Mizzou Alumni Association. On September 28, 2001, the Alumni Association honored him as the recipient of the Mizzou Tiger Pride Award.

Bob very much loved his wife, Marilyn, his family, his pets, growing roses, the MU Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals.  His life was enriched by the many treasured friendships formed through his family, neighbors, his care providers, and his daily activities while living in Kirksville and Columbia. Friendship was a central theme in Bob’s life.  At a very young age, during the Blizzard of 1936, his mother taught him and his twin to do cross-stitch, and he produced a sampler of the poem by Sam Walter Foss “ Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man. ”

It is with heartfelt gratitude that Bob’s family thanks his many care providers for the kind and compassionate support provided to him during his illness:  the physicians and staff at the University of Missouri Health Care, as well as the staff of Home Instead Senior Care, his friends at Studio 311 in Columbia, MO, The Neighborhoods and Hospice Compassus.

Visitation will be at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Kirksville, MO on Friday, June 25, 2021 at 6 p.m., followed by a Masonic service at 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, in Kirksville, MO on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Kirksville, Fairview United Methodist Church, Columbia, MO, The Masonic Home of Missouri, or Cottey College, Nevada, MO.